SWIMMING: Synchro success for Rugby at Midlands Age Group competition

Rugby Swimming Club Synchro travelled to Walsall for the first major event of the year – the Midlands Age Group competition - and came home with a magnificent medal haul after some excellent performances.

The first event was the figures competition, where athletes perform four set moves in front of a panel of judges.

As well as being a competition in its own right, figures scores carry over to the final result for solo, duet and team events.

In the 12 and Under group, Rugby had four competitors in the top ten, with Olivia Barry 8th, Alexa Holland 7th, Tyra Watson 4th and Imogen Ravenhall securing the bronze medal.

In the 13-15 year category, Josephine Mozley was placed 7th in a strong field of 54, with Olivia Tyers 11th and Bethany Masters 13th.

The 12 and Under solo competition saw a bronze medal for Imogen Ravenhall; and in the same age group duet, Imogen and Olivia Barry were placed third, with Tyra Watson and Alexa Holland taking silver.

The 13-15 duet saw another medal for Rugby – bronze for Lola Dudkowsky and Josephine Mozley.

The first team event was the 12 and under free category, and it was gold for Rugby, represented by Lola Huett, Chloe Bartholomew, Olivia Barry, Imogen Ravenhall, Alexa Holland, Sophie Henry, Tyra Watson and Chloe Barrett-Leafe. This was followed by bronze for the 13-15 team – Matilda John, Josephine Mozley, Lola Dudkowsky, Olivia Tyers, Lola Marsay, Bethany Masters, India Townsend and Sophie Thomas.

The combination team competition saw another gold for Rugby in the 13-15 Division 2 – the team comprised India Townsend, Poppy Williams, Isobal Maxey, Josephine Mozley, Lola Dudkowsky, Olivia Tyers, Lola Marsay, Bethany Masters, Hannah Hopkins and Sophie Thomas.

This was followed by the 13-18 Division 1; Chloe Lyons, Jasmine Farr, Evelyn Whisker, Lily Van Vliet, Edith John, Gabriella Ravenhall, Mia Timothy, Olivia Broomhead, Rosie Thomas and Amy Buckley took the silver medal.

In the 15 and Under Division 1 at Walsall, Rugby Synchro were represented by Anya Saunders, Emily Minor, Laura Oddy, Beatrice Banks, Jemma King, Harriet Humphrey, Isobel Byrne, Emila Owen, Rebecca Harper and Natalia Rodriguez, and were awarded silver.

Finally, Rugby had two squads in the 15-18 Division Two. Jessica Farndon, Bethany Clarke, Katie McConnell, Sophie Lowe, Jennifer Ravenhall, Nyah Munden-Edge, Lizzie Pritchard, Angelique Tye, Jagoda Czuplak and Jessica Barrett-Leafe secured bronze. Danielle Medgett, Amelia Quinn, Nayana Walker, Charlotte Putt, Eve Howard, Emily Dakin, Maisie Grinter, Georgia Lindsay and Lili Carroll took home silver in a strong and competitive category.

Rugby are now looking forward to the Swim England National Age Group Championships which will see the 12U and 13,14,15 Age Groups competing against the rest of the country for top honours.

Synchronised swimming is open to males and females and all ages, including a Masters section.

If you would like to know more, contact head coach Hannah Secher at [email protected].