Students shine at sports day after class show at schools event
YOUNG athletes were the toast of their college sports day after returning from representing the region at a national competition.
Four students from Emmanuel College in Gateshead were selected to compete for Durham in the English Schools Championship.
For Emmanuel, the quartet of Oliver Lewis, Sam Gorman, Amelia Bateman and Georgia Kyle marked an historic high since the college had previously only had three students chosen for the prestigious competition.
Athletics coach and head of outdoor education Simon Leonard said:” To have four students selected is remarkable given we have had just three others over the last 25 years.
“It happens occasionally you get a group like this.
“Oliver only took up athletics last year so he has natural talent.
“Sam and Amelia are great multievent athletes and all of them have broken college records.”
Gorman justified his English Schools selection by breaking the college 100m record of 11.6 with 11.5 and also broke the shot record of 11.44 with a throw of 11.73 at the sports day, which was held at Gateshead Stadium.
Gorman, 14, of Bensham, who also holds the college year nine high jump record with 1.75, said: “The high jump is my favourite because I train more for it and it is what I am best at.
“It was a lot more tense at the English Schools.
“College sports day is still competitive but more friendly.”
Alex Strother equaled the 80m hurdles record of 12.4 and Bateman’s personal best of 1.73 in the high jump - which gave her fifth place at English Schools - was a considerable step up on the college record.
College principal Matt Waterfield said: “Sports day is a great occasion with the whole college involved in some way and more than half the college competing.
“It is not just about who is the best.
“It is an opportunity for all the competitors to challenge themselves and show their determination to see just how far they can get towards, or beyond, their personal best.”
With points available for every house in every event, competitors were encouraged by their house captains.
Running alongside a younger competitor, Jonathan Brent, 17, captain of Corinthians house, which went on to be overall winners, said: “Our role is to support everyone in the house because even if you come last you are contributing points. “