Students shine in year of athletics success

RGS students shone on track and field this year. JOANNE BINKS looks back on an exciting summer season of athletics

ATHLETICS at Ripon Grammar School has gone from strength to strength this year. Students from all year groups have taken part in training and competitions, with over 100 students proudly representing the school throughout a packed and exciting summer season.

We’ve competed across a wide range of competitions — from local friendlies to area, county, regional, and even national events. The level of commitment, determination, and team spirit shown by our athletes has been nothing short of outstanding.

One of the highlights early in the season was the Mount St Mary’s Invitational Competition, which provided Year 7 and 8 students a chance to try a variety of events. For many, it was their first taste of competitive athletics. The team finished an impressive second place — just a few points shy of victory.

In the Area Championships, the first round was held at Queen Ethelburga’s, where students had to finish in the top 4 of their events to qualify for the finals. Over 40 students made it through — a fantastic achievement in itself.

The Area Finals, hosted at Leeds Beckett University, showcased the very best of Ripon Grammar’s athletic talent. We celebrated 13 area champions, with several students setting new area records:

  • Holly Nash – 75m Hurdles – 11.45
    • Holly Nash – 2nd in 300m & 80m Hurdles
      • Helanna Bailey's 1977 200m record — finally broken after nearly 50 years!
      • Beth Takieddine – Y10 200m
      • Holly Nash – 300m, 75m Hurdles & 80m Hurdles
      • Simon Bordewich – 300m & 400m
      • Natasha Pointon – 300m
      • Bobbi Todd – Triple Jump (10.34m) – The first girl in RGS history to jump over 10m
      • Isabella Simpson – Discus
      • Antonia Price (Sixth Form) – Triple Jump – 9.56m
      • Now, for this year’s special awards:

      Male Athlete of the Year
      This award goes to an athlete who has consistently dominated his events throughout the season. He has not only set new school and area records in both the 300m and 400m but has also been an inspiring performer at every level of competition.
      Congratulations to Simon Bordewich!

      Female Athlete of the Year
      This award goes to an athlete who has shown extraordinary commitment and enthusiasm. She has refined her technique with dedication, practicing every lunchtime, and has developed a true passion for the triple jump — becoming the first girl at RGS to clear 10 metres. In addition, she has delivered outstanding 800m performances and captained the girls' athletics team with pride.
      A huge well done to Bobbi Todd — a truly deserving Female Athlete of the Year!

      It’s been an unforgettable season for RGS athletics. Thank you to every student who trained, competed, and supported one another — you’ve all helped make this year so special.

      English Schools Athletic Cup Inter Girls National Finals

      The Inter Girls team were truly focused on the English Schools Athletic Cup this year. Unlike typical athletics competitions, this event is team-based — with each athlete earning points for their performance in two events, one track and one field, with the team's total score being the qualifying result.

      The competition started back in May with the first of two North Yorkshire qualifying competitions at York University. The girls competed against nine other schools to be crowned champions on the day with a total of 366 points. It was then a long wait as the results came in from the second North Yorkshire, Durham, Humberside, Northumberland qualifying competitions. The girls had finished 2nd in the North East area behind 34 points behind the leaders St Aidan's and they prepared for the regional competition knowing that they had to all perform to their best if they had a chance to qualify for the national finals. Knowing their rivals were strong on the track the girls focussed their training on improving their field events, this is were those extra points could be gained.

      At the North East regional final the top eight schools in the region competed with only the winners securing a place at national finals. The girls were focused and opened the day on the track, every student having a strong performance, placing in the top three for most events, Izzy Forsythe was the top individual points score with 28 points for her 1500m. After the track session we were placed second but we were quietly confident that we could claw back the points in the field events. Bobbi Todd got off to a flying start in the triple jump, with a personal best and School record of 10m 34, earning 25 points. The field results came in and every student recorded great performances securing significant points in the field events. With only the relay to go we had no idea of our position, the girls finished third and it was an anxious wait for the final points score. W left the competition believing that we had finished second but the results came through later in the evening and the girls had improved their first round score by over 60 points to 427 to win the competition beating the second-place team by 21 points. This was an outstanding achievement and a result of all their hard work and training.

      The national finals were held at Melbourne Stadium, Chelmsford on Saturday 5th July, a total of 13 schools were competing. The girls travelled down and stayed overnight. A few changes had to be made to the team as some students were unavailable for the final. The competition was at the highest level and the girls had to report to a call room 20 minutes before their event, wait in holding bays and be marshalled onto the track. Each race was electronically timed, wind measurements taken and a photo finish. It was an elite athlete experience and a chance to compete alongside some of the top athletes in England.

      The girls started in the field events and opened with a steady performance, two notable performances in discus with both athletes, Scarlett Goodwin and Lottie Day throwing personal bests. The track events were outstanding with Lottie Day, Beth Takieddine and Holly Nash winning their events on the day. Personal best performances in the 1500m for Natasha Pointon, 800m for Bobbi Todd and Blythe Hughes. It was a tough competition and I was delighted with the result, with the girls finishing 10th in the country.