Plymouth Diving supported by Pilkington Estates, took a strong team of 16 divers to compete in Southampton at the Southeast Regional Age Group Competition. The divers were aiming to win medals to add to their collection but more importantly the necessary qualifying scores to compete at the National Age Group Finals in June.
The competition was fierce with some fantastic performances from the Plymouth divers. In the A category for 16 to 18 year-olds Ben Hall produced some outstanding dives to achieve the qualifying score for the National Finals on 1m and walk away with bronze medals and PB’s on the 1m, 3m and Platform.
In the B category for 14 and 15 year olds Erin Healey, Lexi Davies, Eva Lang, Rose McCabe and Alex Whittaker all made the National Finals qualifying scores. The divers also walked away with plenty of medals and lots of PBs. Lexi winning a silver medal on 1m and a superb gold on the Platform following some brilliant and consistent dives. Eva and Martha Ticehurst also put in some amazing dives in all events. PB’s were achieved by Erin, Lexi, Eva, Rose, Martha and Alex. However, diver of the day in this category was undoubtedly Erin who produced a string of excellent dives to finish with a full set of medals with gold on 3m, silver on Platform and bronze on 1m.
In the C category for 12 and 13 year olds Ava Cowper made the National Finals qualifying score on Platform also getting a fantastic bronze medal and PB. Oscar Westbury put in a strong performance across all 3 events with two 4th place finishes and bronze on Platform. Isaac Ide, Lincoln Stephens and Poppy Jones despite carrying an injury, also performed well and gained valuable experience at this level with a raft of PB’s being achieved.
The youngest divers in the competition were in the D category for 10 and 11 year old divers with Alice Jones, Isla Applin and Harry Westbury achieving National Finals qualifying scores. Harry dived well despite just returning from injury and won silver in the 1m and 3m events. In the girls events Isla produced some great dives to win bronze on the 1m and 3m board. Teagan Mousley and Alice produced some of their best diving when it counted with Teagan winning bronze on Platform and Alice coming 4th.
Overall, the weekend was a resounding success with the Plymouth divers once again showing why the city has a reputation for producing some of the best divers in the country. The club would like to thank the amazing coaches Tommy Davis and Harry Mason along with Mark Jones for taking on the judging responsibilities.
