Hartpury College students have enjoyed an outstanding performance at the British Rowing Beach Sprint Championships, securing national titles and medals ahead of further international representation.
Six Hartpury students competed at the championships: second-year A-level students Ellie Cole, Dylan Balkwill, Gethin Balkwill and Jasper Weaver; first-year Level 3 Extended Diploma (Sport and Exercise Science) student Phoebe Leibbrandt; and second-year Level 3 Extended Diploma (Sport and Exercise Science) student Phoebe Asquith.
Dylan and Gethin enjoyed national title success as part of a mixed quad competing in the senior category, taking victory against a strong field.
There was also plenty of Hartpury interest in the individual events, including two all-Hartpury contests for bronze medals.
In the Junior Women’s Single, Ellie Cole and Phoebe Asquith went head-to-head in the bronze medal race, with Ellie taking the victory to secure third place.
There was a similar scenario in the Junior Men’s Single, where Hartpury classmates Dylan and Gethin Balkwill found themselves racing against each other for bronze. Gethin came out on top to add an individual bronze medal to his success in the mixed quad.
The performances continue a strong tradition of Hartpury students combining their academic studies with sporting achievement at the highest levels.
Further international opportunities now await several members of the group.
Ellie has been selected to represent England at the Home International Beach Sprint Regatta, while Dylan will represent Wales at the same competition.
Gethin will step onto the international stage for Great Britain at the European U19 Beach Sprints Regatta in Spain.
Further international selections involving Hartpury students are also expected to be announced following the publication of the relevant official team selections.
The results underline the strength of rowing at Hartpury and the opportunities available for talented young athletes to combine education with the demands of performance sport.
