St Mary's have a great run of success (From Wharfedale Observer)

St Mary's have a great run of success

11:13am Thursday 7th September 2006 in Schools By Daryl Ames

St Mary's School in Menston enjoyed a tremendously successful athletics season in the Leeds Schools' Athletics League, including the U-15 girls who finished as champions.

Three out of their four teams qualified from the preliminary events for the final at South Leeds Stadium.

The U-13 girls team qualified second in their group and both the U-15 boys and girls teams qualified as winners of their groups.

The final involved St Mary's athletes competing against the other seven most successful qualifiers from the original 32 school competition, the biggest inter-schools athletics competition in England.

An evening of tense and exciting competition produced some stunning performances from the St Mary's athletes. The U-13 girls' team worked really hard against some top class opposition including near neighbours Prince Henry's Grammar School, Otley, who won both U-13 girls' and boys' competitions.

The St Mary's team of Rebecca Hodgson, Rachel Eastwood, Eleanor Routh, Shannon Stringwell, Brionie Everall, Amanda Old, Danielle Bray, Farrah Brookfield, Ruby Downie, Georgina Byrne and Hayley Rhodes managed to secure sixth position, an excellent team performance.

The U-15 boys' team managed to push favourites Leeds Grammar School in every event. Outstanding performances on the night included Marc Roberts's second place in the 200m, Chris O'Connor dominating the high jump with a leap of 1.77m, Dominic Marwood's battling third position in the 800m, Niall Canavan's powerful finish to gain second place in the 100m and debutant Luke Gilhooly's excellent 32m throw to bag second position in the javelin.

Other team members included Kieran Lines (relay/long jump), Duncan Fraser (400m), Oliver Webster (1500m), Marcus Murray (triple jump) and Richard Neesam (relay). The team fell short of the champions title by a mere four points.

The superb girls' U-15 team were clear champions after a night of outstanding performances. Danielle Carr dominated the 200m race from start to finish. Jessica Best worked hard to gain second place in the 300m. Tamar Hall produced a season's best in the triple jump to bag second place and Rebecca Harrison led from the gun to win the 1500m.

Other notable efforts from team members Kate Langham (javelin/hurdles), Megan O'Sullivan (shot), Sarah Stewart (high jump) and Bethany Harrison (800m) ensured the St Mary's team lined up for the final 4 x 100m relay knowing that only a dropped baton or disqualification could keep them from the title.

A superb run by Hall on the second leg put Best into a strong position for the last change over. She passed the baton to Carr with ten metres to make up on the leader.

The West Yorkshire Schools' 200m champion produced another example of fluent and powerful running to run down her opponent with a metre to go.

It was a wonderful victory to ensure a clear ten point margin in front of second placed Royds School.