Diving Canada – Rare tie for first highlights 2019 Speedo Junior Development Nationals

 

REGINA – Thomas Guenette of Montreal and Paul Yang of Edmonton produced a rare tie for first in the boys’ 12-13 age group three-metre event on Friday at the 2019 Speedo Junior Development Nationals diving competition.

 

Yang and Guenette each tabulated 290.05 while Nikita Kudryavtsev of Montreal was third at 288.05.

 

Guenette was especially surprised to be first as he returned to the boards only two and half weeks ago after sitting out the past two months. 

 

‘’It was a rough return as well, the training wasn’t going all that great,’’ he said. ‘’I just went into today with the attitude to have fun and see what happens.’’

 

While Guenette delivered a consistent performance, Yang had more highs and lows during the eight-dive final.

 

‘’I didn’t check the scoreboard during the competition so I had no idea that it was that close,’’ said Yang. ‘’The key for me was nailing my last dive and doing well in my compulsories.’’

 

Meanwhile,  Lila Stewart of Regina capitalized on home pool advantage to win the gold medal in the girls 11 and under platform. Stewart earned 227.25. Isa Koop of Edmonton was second at 219.50 and Sara Lupa of Burlington, Ont. third at 216.15.

 

‘’My goal was to win but I wasn’t sure it could really happen,’’ said Stewart. ‘’My best dive was my reverse in the seventh round.’’

 

In the boys 11 and under one-metre, Dean Calfacacos of Pointe-Claire, Que., was tops with 242.90, Arnaud Corbeil of Montreal second at 222.50 and Samuel Talbot of Brossard, Que., third at 221.00.

 

‘’It was great to go out and reach all my goals,’’ said Calfacacos. ‘’My inward dive is the one with the highest degree of difficulty and I did it really well.’’

 

Competition continues through to Sunday at the Lawson Aquatic Centre.

Full results: Integrated Sports Systems Live Diving