THREE MEDALS FOR HERTS PHOENIX ATHLETES AT ENGLISH SCHOOLS

Ten Herts Phoenix athletes competed in the English Schools Championships held at Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium on July11/12.

It was a successful occasion with club athletes taking 2 Gold medals and 1 Bronze medal as well as 2 fourth placings.

Kicking off the success was Millfield School pupil TIANA RIZZO, representing Somerset Schools, who, after comfortably winning her heat, sped to victory in the Senior Girls 100 metres.

Next to step up to the top of the winners podium was JAKE SUMMERS (Monks Walk, WGC) with a convincing win in the Junior Boys 1500m, backing up his status as top ranked UK athlete in his age-group.

Senior Boy LUKE DUNHAM (Bishops Stortford High) also tops the UK rankings at 3000m

but had to settle this time for a hard-fought Bronze medal.

Fourth places were achieved by CORA NAYLOR (Simon Balle, Hertford) in Junior Girls 800m and DANIEL SKILBECK (Monks Walk, WGC) in Senior Boys 400m.

The sole club field eventer, JESSICA BOTHERAS (Presdales, Ware) placed 8th in the Junior Girls Shot with her second-best ever distance.

Fellow pupils at St John Henry Newman, Stevenage, VICTORIA AKHIGBE and PENIELLE OYELAJA both competed in the Inter Girls 100m but were unable to progress beyond the heats, nevertheless having excelled in gaining qualification to take part in these Champs.

BEN MURPHY (Chauncy, Ware), despite leading early on in his Senior Boys 1500m heat, just missed out on a qualifying place in the final.

Representing Essex Schools, KIERA SHAW (Saffron Walden County High) ran in the heats of the Senior Girls 3000m but was unfortunately unable to finish.