Max Burnell spearheads Cambridge Dive Team medal charge at English Schools' Swimming Association East Region Trials

Max Burnell struck gold for Cambridge Dive Team at the English Schools’ Swimming Association East Region Trials.

It was one of four medals for the eight-strong team in Southend, with the individual medalists booking a spot at the national finals.

Burnell, representing St Faith’s, was competing in the primary category, for students in Year 6 and below.

He took the lead in the first round with a soaring high forward one-and-a-half somersaults, and maintained the form to take gold.

Histon & Impington Primary’s Rufus Bord won silver in the same category, having produced some consistent high-scoring dives.

In the girls’ primary category, St Matthew’s Zia Gordon made a strong start earning six-and-a-halves and sevens, and kept her confidence to take third place.

Milton Primary’s Amelia Aldridge was in contention for a medal until the final round, narrowly missing out to finish sixth.

St Bede’s Daisy Halls was taking part in the junior category, for Years 7 and 8.

She consistently finished rounds in third, but agonisingly missed out on third by two points. Bottisham Village College’s Molly McGregor was fifth in the same event.

Catherine Lopez, of Impington Village College, represented Cambridge Dive Team in the intermediate girls’ category, for Years 9 and 10.

She performed a reverse one-and-a-half dive for 37.00 points in a tough event, and stayed cool under pressure to secure the bronze medal.

Newmarket Academy’s Marisa Cowling was eighth, despite minimal training.

Burnell, Bord, Gordon and Lopez will take part in the prestigious finals at the London Aquatic Olympic pool at the beginning of December.