HARTPURY College students enjoyed national success at the British Rowing Beach Sprint Championships, winning titles and medals before several prepare to compete on the international stage.

Six Hartpury students took part, with Dylan and Gethin Balkwill claiming a national title as part of a mixed quad competing in the senior category.

The pair helped their crew overcome a strong field to take victory, while Hartpury students were also among the medals in the individual competitions.

Second-year A-level student Ellie Cole faced fellow Hartpury student Phoebe Asquith in the bronze medal race in the Junior Women’s Single.

Cole came out on top in the all-Hartpury contest to secure third place and a place on the podium.

There was a similar situation in the Junior Men’s Single, where classmates Dylan and Gethin Balkwill found themselves competing against each other for bronze.

Gethin took victory to add an individual bronze medal to the national title he had already secured in the mixed quad.

Hartpury’s team at the championships also included second-year A-level student Jasper Weaver and first-year Sport and Exercise Science student Phoebe Leibbrandt.

The students’ success continued Hartpury’s tradition of combining academic studies with sporting achievement, with several of the group now preparing to represent their countries.

Cole has been selected to compete for England at the Home International Beach Sprint Regatta, while Dylan Balkwill will represent Wales at the same event.

Gethin Balkwill is also set to step onto the international stage after being selected to represent Great Britain at the European U19 Beach Sprints Regatta in Spain.

Further international selections involving Hartpury students are expected to be announced once the relevant official teams have been confirmed.

The championship results highlighted another successful outing for Hartpury’s rowing programme and the opportunities available for young athletes to continue their education while competing in performance sport at national and international level.