Four Vale athletes took part in the 2014 English Schools Athletics Championships this weekend. Our youngest competitor was Alfred Mawdsley who finished a very credible 5th in the discus with a throw of 38.50m. The four athletes ahead of him are all in their second year at this age group so Alfred can be very proud of his achievement.
Christian von Eitzen and Patrick Taylor were both competing in the Senior Boys’ 800m for Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire respectively. Patrick sadly went out at the semi-final stage though Christian made it through to the final. As with Alfred, he is in the first year of this age group so making the final was a great achievement. He won gold at Intermediate last year and is determined to medal again next year.
Our great success of the games was Jessica Hunter competing in the Senior Girls’ 100m hurdles, again as a first year in the age category. She came through the heats well and although she didn’t get the best start in the final, she powered through overtaking several athletes to win the Silver Medal in a time of 14.34. Jess is coached by Scott Grace; his take on the young athlete is “I am really pleased for Jess. She has worked very hard for this performance and we know there is so much more to come. This gives Jess a great platform to build from towards the European Juniors next season. From a personal point she is a great athlete to coach.”