FOR the first time in over a decade, athletes contested the secondary schools athletics inter insular.
Hosted at Footes Lane in Guernsey on Tuesday 23 June students battled our for both individual and school glory.
In preparation, taster sessions were held at FB Fields for student in running, throwing and jumping events.
These events were hosted by Jersey Spartans Athletics Club coaches Jason Fox, Catt Hallden, Rebecca Orpin and Mario Felisberto.
These sessions were open to pupils from all the Jersey secondary schools.
Katie Tanguy, Secondary Schools Athletics Lead, said: “The main aim of these taster sessions was for pupils, who are not used to the facilities, to familiarise themselves with the track environment and prepare for the secondary schools championships with the help of the Spartans coaches offering support on run ups, starting, pacing and technique.
“We held the Secondary Schools Championships in combination with the Schools Cup on Monday 11 May through to Wednesday 13 May.
“Pupils were striving for individual success as well as points for their school.”
The Jersey team was selected from this inter insular event this saw every secondary school on the island with at least one competing member.
The 42-strong team headed to Guernsey in confident mood.
Tanguy continued: “Whilst athletics is historically an individual sport, at this event it was all about gaining points for the team with every place counting towards the overall totals.”
Dhan Pangali (Year 9 Victoria College) had a busy day. He managed himself with maturity to claim victories in three events, long jump, high jump and hurdles.
Victorian College also racked up considerable points through the efforts of Jack Elliot, also Year 9, who won both the 100 and 200m sprints.
Teddy Wilson (Year 9 VC) was in fine form to win both the 300m and 800m.
Bethany Silva (Year 9 JCG) impressed to claim wins in the 800m and the Javelin, her cricket expertise surely helping her with that performance.
Schoolmate Bobbi Billington (Year 8 JCG) was also successful in the Javelin as well as the 1200m.
Beaulieu’s Estelle Lamy (Year 9) also landed two event wins, claiming the Discus and 200m titles.
Commanding wins also went to Max Ribeiro (Y8 LQ) in the 100m, Niamh Church (Y9 JCG) and Leo Gage ( Y9 LQ) both in the 1200m, Soren T ( Y9 VC) in the shot putt, Azmeera McDonald (Y8 JCG) in the 100m , Amelie Manton ( Y9 JCG) in the high jump and Flynn Vautier (Y8 VC) in the same event.
Jersey finished as champions in the Year 8 combined Boys and Girls event, with a total of 121 points to Guernsey’s 110.
Year 9 also stole the honours, Jersey finishing with 131 to Guernsey’s 110.
This added up to an overall resounding victory for Jersey, returning home with both trophies in hand.
A proud Tanguy noted: “Several pupils stepped up and competed in extra events to ensure the team gained as many points as possible.
“For many athletes this was the first chance they have had to compete at a higher level then the Schools Championships and they rose to the challenge exceptionally well in difficult conditions.”
Tanguy was also keen to offer her thanks, highlighting Andrew Woodward, Susan Loose, Richard Picot and Claire Dupoy who travelled alongside the team, as well as to the Guernsey schools, especially Gearoid Lee, and finally to Jersey Sport for part funding the trip.
