Dr Challoner's High School Junior Girls team acquitted themselves very well at the English Schools Track and Field Cup Final held at Costello Stadium, Hull on Saturday, competing against the best athletics schools in the country from as far afield as Northumberland, Essex, Lancashire and Hereford and Worcester.
The girls, from academic years 7 and 8, finished on 356 points: just 5 down from their regional final score, despite having a few girls unavailable for the final. This put them equal 9th on the day from the 13 teams competing. Winning school with 420 points was Southend High School for girls and Buckinghamshire revealed its current strength in girls athletics at this age group with Aylesbury High School finishing third on 399 points.
The events are scored on performance rather than placings, with more points won from stronger performances based on a scoring grid. Chiltern Harriers club members competing for the school were Jemma Wenman, scoring 21 points for her 13.5 seconds in the 75m hurdles and 16 for a 4.12m long jump; Jessica Franks gaining 22 points for a 5.18.8 1500m and 13 for a 15.02m discus throw; Amy Harris, 20 points in the 800m for a time of 2.42.2; Carrie Holloway, 18 points for a 5.47.8 in the 1500m; and Hannah Barnetson 17 points from an 18.09m javelin throw. Amy, Carrie and Hannah also contributed to the 4x100m team that finished in 62.1. In previous rounds Katie Royals and Phoebe Cutter had also made valuable contributions to the team's progress to the final.
The other team members also performed very well - Sophie Matthews continued her excellent sprinting season with 24 points from her 13.5 second 100m. Sophie Jenkins combined 14 points from her 14.6 100m with 16 for a 7.01m shot putt and Beth Hitchcock doubled up with 14 points for a 15.1 75m hurdles and 15 points for her 6.80m shot putt. Sprinter Hannah Clappen put together a 29.4 second 200m worth 20 points with a 12 point long jump of 3.66m. Emma Foord gained 22 points from her 1.44m high jump as well as contributing to the relay and Alicia Evans added 19 points for a 19.51m discus throw to 18 for a 29.8 200m. The highest number of points gained came from versatile athlete Kat Shaw scored 21 points for her 2.41.5 800m and 18 points for a 1.32m high jump
The girls have had an excellent season and the prospects are good for more success in the autumn's English Schools Cross Country competition.