This entry was posted on Thursday, February 20th, 2014at 1:03 pm by zoe.leahy@activenation.org.uk

New Generation Of Divers Winning National Competition Medals

Eight divers from the Active Nation Southampton Diving Academy – picked as part of a new regional talent squad – have come back from a national competition with an impressive seven medals.

The divers, representing the newly formed SERASA (South East Regional Amateur Swimming Association) Talent Squad, returned from the Senior National Diving Competition in Southend with their medals.

Both Sarah White (16) and Gemma McArthur (15) made finals on platform finishing in 5^th and 8^th place respectively, with Sarah becoming the Junior (18+under) silver medallist. Both girls achieved personal best performances, and Sarah, in particular, showed the benefit of a consistent list of dives.

The other medals came from the synchro events.

Lauren Grinstead (19) and Gemma McArthur paired up for the first time to take bronze in the 10m platform event; Maddie Angell (14) and Mollie James (16)also paired up for the first time to take 4^th in the Senior event, and bronze in the junior event in the women’s 3m synchro event.

The men’s 10m platform saw a surprise outcome with Lewys Oakley (15) and Charlie Wood (20) taking gold.  They pipped the favourites to the post when Junior European Individual champions Matty Lee (15) from Leeds and Dan Goodfellow (17) from Plymouth unexpectedly failed their last dive! This result meant that SDA continued its unbeaten run of having won this event every year it has run.

Lewis Coleman-Smith (16) also performed well, taking English junior 3^rd place on the 1m s/b and 4^th place on the 3m springboard.

Charlie Wood also made finals on the 10m platform, coming home just outside the medals in an impressive 4^th place.

Director of Coaching for SDA, Lindsey Fraser, was delighted with the outcome.  “This is a tribute to the hard work and commitment of the whole team and their coaches.  I am looking forward to this new generation of divers from the South coming through to fill some of the shoes left empty by our top divers who have recently retired, including Olympic silver medallist, Peter Waterfield.”

Divers on the team are coached by Lindsey Fraser, Xinde Zhang and Jack Clewlow.