SYNCHRO: Club's first ever national team title

Rugby Swimming Club Synchro enjoyed their most successful year ever at their most prestigious event - the National Age Group Championships in Manchester, with 19 competing.

Clubs and swimmers from all over the country that have achieved a minimum standard, compete for national titles across two age groups: age 12 and under and age 131415.

In the 12&Us, Rugby achieved four swimmers in the top 21 for the individual figures event, with Alexa Holland placing top in 7th. Lola Huett also did a great job as the only nine-year-old in the competition to place 4th in the age 9/10 category.

In the Solo event, Imogen Ravenhall’s fantastic performance moved her up to 8th place overall.

Rugby entered two duets, both earning places on the podium. Tyra Watson and Alexa Holland won silver medal with Imogen Ravenhall and Olivia Barry taking home the bronze.

Finally for the 12&U, the blue riband event: the Free Team. Going into it, Rugby were in 4th place from their acculumated figure scores and needed to swim well to get onto the podium.

Following a great swim and a tense wait, the team were awarded the gold medal and crowned national champions. The team of Alexa, Tyra, Olivia, Imogen, Chloe Bartholomew, Sophie Henry, Chloe Barrett-Leafe and Lola Huett were so excited to receive Rugby’s first ever Team National Age Group title.

In the very competitive 131415 age group - 177 swimmers competed in the individual figure competition including many in the England Age Group Squad. Top placed athlete for Rugby was Lola Dudkowsky who was 37th.

In the Free Team event, Rugby were going into the Routine swim in 8th place following the figure competition. The squad of Lola, Olivia Tyers, Josie Mozley, Sophie Thomas, Poppy Williams, Bethany Masters, Lola Marsay and India Townsend swam their Kung Fu themed routine and achieved a huge PB of 63, moving them up to 4th place just outside of the medals.

Finally, in the Combination Team event, the squad of Lola, Olivia, Josie, Sophie, Poppy, Bethany, Lola, India, Matilda John, Isabel Maxey and reserve Hannah Hopkins had a great swim of their ‘Proud Mary’ Combo and easily won the bronze medal for all of their hard work.

This was most successful National Age Groups for Rugby, with every swimmer coming home with a medal and with success across all events and age groups,Rugby SC Synchro continues to grow, improve and be competitive at national competitions.

In the club’s 50th anniversary year, newcomers are welcome to try synchro. Email head coach Hannah Secher on rugbysynchro.headcoach@gmail.