RUGBY Swimming Club’s artistic swimmers just missed out on defending their Combo Cup title despite claiming three silver medals at the prestigious event.
The club’s artistic swimmers won three silver medals at Ponds Forge International Sports Centre in Sheffield.
And the efforts of the swimmers saw Rugby finish third overall to just miss out on defending the crown they won in 2024.
The 13 to 15-year-old Division One team of Emily Babb, Isabella Franks, Ayla King, Alice Pavlova, Isabel Strain, Ruth Ho, Sophia Myronova, Jemima Parkinson and Daisy Jenkins won silver with a dynamic routine set to ‘Six’.
And the club’s 13 to 15-year-old Division Two team also won silver for their energetic ‘Beetlejuice’ routine as Saranne Black, Amelie Jeary, Mellinda Bogdanova, Isobelle Watkins, Lucy Gates, Darcey Townsend, Mabel Chapman, Ruby Shepherd and Aaron Lee stepped onto the podium.
In the 12 and under Division Two event, Lottie Wilkins, Sophie Croft, Caitlin-Rose Smith, Amelia Storr, Elsa Gaskin, Catherine Yu, Izzy Maglione, Seren Humphry, Jessie Slater and Emily Secher delivered a precise and energetic routine to secure yet another silver.
And Rugby’s 15 to 18-year-old Division Two team of Chloe Barrett-Leafe, Rebecca Harper, Natalia Rodrigues, Sophie Henry, Georgina Stoddart, Isabella Flaig, Daisy Clark, Kara Duckett, Beatrice Banks and Poppy Jenkins placed seventh with their ‘Gladiators’ routine in a highly competitive category.
The prestigious event attracted more than 30 teams and 700 swimmers.
Rugby head coach, Hannah Secher said: “I’m incredibly proud of every swimmer who competed at this huge event.
“Their commitment, teamwork, and passion were evident in every routine.
“The support from our families and fans was phenomenal – it really lifted the team.
“We knew the competition would be fierce this year, and our swimmers rose to the challenge with grace and determination.”
The club’s masters swimmers also took to the water at Ponds Forge in the National Masters Championships.
Rugby’s masters combo team of Julie Bowler-Smith, Sandra Anstruther, Joyce Williams, Ruth MacCallum, Laura Bloomfield, Cathy Reekie, Annette Parker and Alison Richardson won silver with a polished performance.
And MacCullum and Williams also won silver in the 60 to 69-year-old age group with a fine duet.
Bloomfield just missed out on the podium with a fourth-place finish in the 40 to 49-year-old solo category while Bowler-Smith and Anstruther represented the club in the 40 to 49-year-old duet division.
