Athletics

This year the Athletics team thrived through a full-programme of inter-schools meets. Being the only school in Bath with a competitive Athletics programme meant that each weekend we travelled to away fixtures against some of the strongest schools in the South of England.

The Girls’ team enjoyed a range of successes against some tough opponents. We welcomed some new members to the club and it has been exciting to see the interest from the lower years.

The Boys’ team highlight was the senior team winning the highly contested Nitro Athletics meet at Marlborough. This event is an exciting format of Athletics, testing all-round athleticism, tactical decision making, teamwork and grit. It came down to the final event, the Medley Relay, consisting of 2x400m, 2x200m, 4x100m to decide the winner.

GIRLS

Captains: Grace Ardus & Edie Morris

The Inter and Senior teams have been particularly impressive with their support and performances throughout the term.

In the Inter team, Oyin Obe showed great potential in the Shot and Discus and did not look out of place in the relays. Clemmie Coxen impressed with her speed and power in the Long Jumps, Javelin and the Sprints. Both girls recorded podium places many times this season. Alice Wilson managed to compete at the Dauntsey’s meet but excelled in qualifying for the English Schools Competition with her jump of 5.37m. Alice also competed in the South West Schools Heptathlon Championships which took place in tough, windy conditions. She had a great time and came 4th so has qualified for the Nationals in September.

In the Senior teams, Captains Edie Morris and Grace Ardus led by example. Grace ran a great 1500m smashing the old record, and Edie regularly won the Discus and Javelin in almost every meet this season. They have been hugely grateful for the support shown by Niamh Weldon who attended almost every training session and meet. Tobina Laurence is one to look out for next year. She has produced some very encouraging performances in the Triple Jump and her 800m will continue to improve with further training. Grace Cardwell has enjoyed success in the 400m Hurdles and qualified for the Regional Athletics Championships where she performed well against strong opposition.

BOYS

Captains: Oliver Lechmere & Bruin Ward

The Boys’ team enjoyed their most successful season in recent history, with strong performances across each agecategory. It is impossible to tell all of the individual stories of challenge, failure, discipline and resilience, but we shall focus in on some notable performances.

In the ever-growing Junior team, two boys broke two school records each and consistently put in winning performances throughout the season. Year 9 pupil Joseph Bailey broke the 100m & 200m records in times which put him in the top 5 in the entire school! Charlie Haines brought his cross-country form to the track and improved both his 800m & 1500m times throughout the season, taking both of these School records from the well-known Middle House old boy, Tom Kingsnorth. Elsewhere in the Junior team we welcomed a number of new athletes to our rank with Tom White and Rupert Rutter winning events despite still being in Westwood!

The Intermediate team fared well throughout the season, using their Athletics to complement their rigorous exam timetables. Joe Watt stepped up each weekend taking home a near maximal amount of points by winning the 100m, 200m, and Long Jump. Jack Beveridge deserves a mention for always making himself available despite his cycling training regime. When not selected for the Millfield meet, Jack used the opportunity to do a training cycle to Millfield to support his friends.

The Senior team put us back on the map with consistent top level performances throughout the season. Joe Dunn didn’t lose many races in the 100m & 200m, and co-captain Bruin Ward remains the fastest sprinter out the blocks in all competitions! Oskar Billett joined the team this year, and his determination in training has seen him run fantastic 400m & 800m times.

Our leavers have played their role well throughout the season. They have committed to attending meets despite writing their final A Level exams. Noah Richardson has competed really well in High Jump, thrown the Discus impressively, and proven himself a capable relay runner. Despite Max Waring being built for arm-wrestling, he cruises a 1500m and has put his strength to use in the Shot Put and Discus events. Finally, co-captain Ollie Lechmere. Ollie is a long-standing member of the Athletics team, and has been a highly valued co-captain. He has supported the younger athletes, competed admirably in a range of events on both track and in the field, and alongside his fellow captains has facilitated a healthy culture. Perhaps this is best summed up by this email sent to Mr GordonBrown from a Marlborough College teacher:

“I just wanted to feedback how impressed I was with your Athletes who came over to Marlborough on Saturday. They clearly wanted to be there, performed well, were tremendous at supporting each other and took time at the end of the afternoon to thank the Marlborough staff for laying on the event.” “A really positive culture in Athletics”.