School sports: MGS lap up applause and titles at synchronised swimming championships

A stormy morning threatened to dampen the mood at the 6th SSA National Schools Synchronised Swimming Championships on Saturday but the dolled-up girls still brightened up the day with their smiles and elegant routines at Toa Payoh Swimming Complex.

The two-day event from July 3-4 saw over 100 competitors from 24 primary schools, 11 secondary schools and four other institutions.

Methodist Girls' School retained their title as overall primary and secondary school champions, ahead of close rivals Singapore Chinese Girls' School.

This is MGS' second triumph, with the first four editions being dominated by SCGS.

MGS had 94 points in the primary division, three ahead of SCGS, and 106 in the secondary division, 52 ahead of SCGS.

MGS boast three national swimmers - Carolyn Buckle, Tay Aik Fen and Miya Yong Tsing, who are all 15. Together with junior Christine Mok, they easily won the Secondary B division team free routine with a score of 65.9000, way ahead of the SCGS team with 55.8333.

Although Carolyn and Miya had little time to train due to national team commitments, they took first place in the Secondary B division duet event on Friday, with a score of 66.9333, ahead of second-placed SCGS by 8.9333.

"We only started choreographing and practising for the duet on June 13. Although it was quite a short preparation time, we trained six times a week so we got sufficient practice. We've also been friends since Primary 3 so the chemistry's already there," said Carolyn.

Overall results:

Primary B division champion - Methodist Girls' School

Primary C division champion - MGS

Primary D division champion - MGS

Overall primary champion - MGS

Secondary A division champion - Anglo-Chinese Junior College

Secondary B division champion - MGS

Secondary C division champion - Singapore Chinese Girls' School

Overall secondary champion - MGS