Westport Diver Helps Whirlwind Win Own Invitational In New Canaan

NEW CANAAN, Conn. -- The New Canaan YMCA Whirlwind Diving Team captured the team first place prize at the annual Whirlwind Winter Weekend Invitational Diving Meet held at the New Canaan YMCA last weekend.

Timothy Luz of Darien was among the winners for Whirlwind.
Photo Credit: *Contributed*

Tom Renner

02/13/2014 4:30 a.m.

There were 214 registered divers competing for 18 teams at the meet. Whirlwind easily won in both the boys and the girls team competitions for a total combined score of 483.50 points, besting the second place team, High Dive Champions of Purchase, NY, by over 65 points.

Whirlwind Diving had individual double winners at both ends of the age range. Representing the 9-and-under boys, Whirlwind diver August Hibler of Pound Ridge took first place in both the 1-meter and the 3-meter events with personal bests in both events.

High school All American diver Kirsten Parkinson of Stamford won the 1- and 3-meter boards in the 16-18 girls competition., also with a personal best score on 3M.

Other Whirlwind event winners included Timothy Luz (Darien, 14-15 boys) on 1M, high school All American Sean Burston (Stamford, 16-18 boys) on 3M, Allison Courtney (Wilton, 14-15 girls) on 3M, Hannah Craley (Redding, 12-13 girls Novice) on 1M, and Gail Heaslip (Ridgefield, Masters Gold) on 1M.

NORWALK: Kevin Bradley (12-13B), of Norwalk, added to the Whirlwind medal count, finishing in 2nd place on 1M and in 3rd place on 3M.

REDDING/WESTON: Divers from Redding competing at the meet were Hannah Craley and Alana Foodman (both 12-13G Novice), and Matthew Mintz (16-18B). Hannah placed 7th on 3M along with her win on 1M, and Alana placed 2nd on 1M and 9th on 3M. Matt placed 17th on 1M and 16th on 3M.

Sophia Rapp, Liam Simmons, and Hayley Palsho, all of Weston, competed also. Sophia (14-15G) placed 7th on 1M and 8th on 3M, Liam (14-15B) finished 6th on 1M and 7th on 3M, and Hayley, competing in the 10-11G Novice Division, placed 6th on 1M and 10th on 3M.

WESTPORT: Eliza Donovan (16-18G) finished in 27th place on 1M.

WILTON: Melinda Henesy (16-18G), and sisters Amy and Suzanne Malburg (12-13G Novice) joined fellow Wiltonite Alison Courtney in the competition. Melinda finished 32nd on 1M and 13th on 3M, Amy placed 7th on 1M and 12th on 3M, and Suzanne placed 4th on 1M and 13th on 3M. Alison placed 5th on 1M in addition to her win on 3M.

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