Blackburn Harriers had six members of the Lancashire Counties Squad which travelled to Birmingham for this years English Schools Championships, representing themselves, their Club and the County with really good performances including Personal Bests.
Former English Schools Bronze Medallist and Blackburn Harrier Matt Wood with GB 2012 Olympic 400m hurdler Jack Green commentating at the Championships for Vinco
Full Results HERE
Joe Pearse contested the Senior Boys High Jump; Connor Makin Senior Boys 400m Hurdles; Cameron Massey Junior Boys 80m Hurdles; Archie Braysford Inter Boys 100m and 4 x 100m Relay; Rebecca Orrell Inter Girls Hammer and Jacob Roberts Junior Boys Hammer.
Joe finished 7th in the High Jump Final with a clearance of 1.91m in a competition won with a clearance of 2.12m and where the first five all jumped 2.00m and above. Joe told us that “The English schools was such a amazing experience and something I have been striving to reach since I started athletics. Even though I had a sub par performance in the high jump I still managed to come 7th in the final, which I was very pleased with. I had such a good time cheering on all the other Lancashire athletes and made some new friends, thoroughly enjoying the time I spent with the whole team”.
Connor finished 4th in his 400mH Heat with 56.05 setting a new PB by over two tenths of a second and then took 7th spot in the Final (56.71). After the event Connor was effusive in his praise of the competition and what it means to the athletes when he told the Club “Pinnacle is the word I would use to sum up English schools for me. Thus far this season I have been struggling for a competitive race and been working towards the standard for 3 years in all from being a non hurdler to 7th at English schools in the 400m Hurdles. On and off the track the event was invigorating and inspiring. The fierce competition really brings out the best in everyone and shows their real colours; on the national stage. Even watching the other events, in awe, made me want to be better and train harder just so that I could be more like them. From what I have fathomed if it wasn’t for the English schools athletes would not get a chance to compete at such a high level and achieve the awesome achievement that is to wear their county vest – it creates so many great memories and unlocks a new pathway to success for all involved”.
Cameron went in the Junior Boys 80m Hurdles taking third place in his Heat with an impressive 11.91 which is better than ES Standard but needed a time faster than 11.56 sec to qualify for the Final. A great effort and invaluable experience but as Cameron told us “the atmosphere was nerve racking and it was relieving to see bob groves smiling just before my race started”
Archie competed in the Inter Boys 100m and with a seasons and personal best of 11.2 it was always going to be tough going. In Heat 4 of the first round Archie qualified in 4th place with 11.42 to go through to Round Two where he finished last with 11.58. Clearly enthused Archie commented that “It’s a great event to attend and experience, it makes you want to progress massively for the next season. Also a proud moment to represent the county”.
Rebecca was one of thirty seven Hammer Throwers in her Inter Girls Competition and she finished in an excellent 8th place with a PB to go with it. In the first Pool of 17 Throwers Rebecca threw a new PB of 47.92m finishing 4th and qualifying for the Final. In the final itself she finished 8th with 47.80m to make for a very consistent and pleasing performance. Speaking to the Club after the Championships Rebecca said that “to sum up English School’s I would have to say that it was an unbelievable high level of competition in every event and with the support from the Lancashire team and other spectators made the whole experience amazing and unforgettable. Everyone who competed in their events did really well and should be proud of their performances, even if they weren’t happy with how they did. We should all remember that getting selected to represent Lancashire is a huge honour and we all did team Lancashire proud!“
Jacob was in a straight Final of twelve athletes and finished 9th and with a new PB of 39.94. In his first ever English Schools Championships this was a cracking performance and he clearly enjoyed the experience when he commented after “To sum up my experience from English Schools, I was up against some of the best throwers in my age group. My practice and my competition made me try harder . Even though I only managed to get one out in competition which resulted in a new PB so I was happy with that. I never gave up even when my practice throw ended up being stuck in the net and it took ten mins to get it down. I have enjoyed my experience down at English Schools and made some new friends. Has a team we supported each other and also made some good memories”.
