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14 Jul 2009 09:57:36
It was the magnificent seven as the University of Bedfordshire inspired the best young athletes in the county to national glory.
The Beds county schools’ athletics squad met at the University’s Bedford campus on Thursday morning, prior to setting off for the prestigious English Schools’ Track and Field Championships in Sheffield on Friday and Saturday.
The 25-strong squad consists of the most talented sporting boys and girls aged 13-18 from schools across Bedfordshire who were competing against the top athletes in the country.
Seven of the athletes took medals at Saturday’s finals –
Gold: Deji Tobias senior boys’ 100m.
Silver: boys’ captain Scott Johnson senior boys’ high jump; Daniel Clorley senior boys’ 3000m; John McDonnell senior boys’ 1500m; girls’ captain Lucy James senior girls’ 400m.
Bronze: Hannah Frith intermediate girls’ high jump; Emily Wallbank intermediate girls’ 3000m.
The youngsters were given their Beds colours on Thursday morning and shown around the £8 million state-of-the-art PE and Sport Science Centre at Bedford. They were also given a motivational talk before being given lunch and then boarding the bus to Sheffield.
Senior lecturer Dawn Daley-James, who co-ordinated the visit, spoke to the young athletes and she said afterwards: “They are the cream of the crop and it’s good that they know the local University is there for them and what sports courses and facilities are on offer locally.”
The English Schools’ Track and Field Championships were televised live on Sky Sports 2 on Saturday afternoon.
One former Beds team member, Natasha Peters, has just finished the second year of her sport and exercise science course at the Bedford campus.
The 20 year old from Sandy, who went to Sandy Upper School, won the silver medal in the senior girls’ 3000m in the 2007 English Schools’ Championships at Birmingham.
Natasha said: “I liked the fact there were local facilities to Bedford and that was a big influence in me coming here.
“Bedford has got a good reputation for sports courses and although it’s a small campus, it’s not too small. I’m really enjoying my course.”
A current member of the team, boys’ captain Scott Johnson, is starting the same course this September at Bedford.
The 18 year old from Kempston, who has completed his A-levels at Hastingsbury Business and Enterprise College, was the 2008 winner in the senior boys’ high jump but had to be content with silver on this occasion.
He has represented the county schools’ athletics team at the English Schools’ Championships three times before in 2005, 2007 and 2008.
Scott said: “This is one of the top universities for sport in the country and it is good for me with my training locally.
“I’ve been on a few tours of the University and I’ve done a lot of research on it and it has impressed me.”
Latest news» 2009» July» Beds county schools' athletics squad visit University
