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New Canaan's Whirlwind Divers Dominate Region Championships

NEW CANAAN, Conn. -- It was cold outdoors, but the New Canaan YMCA Whirlwind divers were hot on the boards as they dominated the competition to win the USA Diving Spring Junior Region 1 Championship at their home pool. 

Bobby Ross of New Canaan soars in the pike position.

Bobby Ross of New Canaan soars in the pike position.

Photo Credit: Contributed
Kevin Bradley of Norwalk smiles on the podium.

Kevin Bradley of Norwalk smiles on the podium.

Photo Credit: Contributed
Darien's Timmy Luz won the boys 3-meter for the 14-15 division.

Darien's Timmy Luz won the boys 3-meter for the 14-15 division.

Photo Credit: Contributed

The meet featured 213 divers from 17 teams to compete for the honor of advancing to the USA Diving East National Championship Meet to be held in Largo, Fla. next month. The top six finishers in each event advance and 12 Whirlwind divers accomplished earned the right to compete in Florida.

Each of the Whirlwind divers advanced in the 1- and 3-meter boards. Whirlwind also won the overall team event with a score of 251 points.

“I am really proud of our kids,” said head coach Joe Somma. “The hard work and dedication to their sport showed this weekend. That is why we are the Region 1 Champs and have 12 student-athletes that qualified for the Junior Nationals.“

Divers who qualified to compete at the East National Championship are Claire Ross, Bobby Ross, and Kiley Towbin of New Canaan, Jake Bowtell, Timmy Luz, Wiley Schmidt, and Owen Stevens from Darien, Kirsten Parkinson and Rachel Burston of Stamford, Lenny Hibler from Pound Ridge, Allison Courtney of Wilton, and Kevin Bradley from Norwalk.

Most notable performances included Kevin Bradley’s personal best sweep of both the 1M and the 3M events in the 12-13 boys competition, Timmy Luz’s first place finish in the boys 14-15 3M event, and Bobby Ross’ spectacular win in the 1M boys 15-18 event.

These other divers also competed:

New Canaan: George Moore, Katie Kushner, Anne Farley, Cameron Rhind, Griffon Edmonds, and Olivia Park.

Stamford: Shannon Rust.

Darien: Kyle O’Donnell, Stephen Kreutch, and Kyla Pech.

Wilton: Melinda Henesy.

Weston: Sophia Rapp and Liam Simmons.

Pound Ridge: August and Ranier Hibler.

Lewisboro: Lauren Delucia.

Greenwich: Annabelle Pollack, Caleigh Kupersmith, and Andrew Bologna. Both Pollack and Bologna narrowly missed qualifying with admirable 7th place finishes in their 1Meter events.

Redding: Matthew Mintz.

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