Foundation News
District Athletics Champions 2009
Congratulations to the girls who won the Upper School District Athletic Championships.
Team: Hannah Conquest (c), Rebecca Murray, Alisha Panter, Emma Brown, Katie Dabson, Alice Devaney and Megan Craddock.
Sixteen schools challenged for the right to become District Champions at the Bedford International Athletic Stadium on Wednesday 20 May.
It was exam week yet there is no better examination, no better test of oneself than athletics as each competitor strives to some new limit of performance or endurance. Confidence and self assertion are needed together with talent, energy and courage. It is as much a mental battle as it is physical.
Winning isn't everything but the WILL to win is everything and the Bedford High Magnificent 7 'rode' into the stadium with intent and purpose.
It was to be a day of high drama and first on stage was Hannah Conquest gliding over the hurdles with the balance of a tightrope walker and the courage of a lion to roar into first place. She followed this up with a 1m 40 cm high jump, equalling her Personal Best.
Becca Murray renewed her ongoing battle with Dame Alice's Revee Walcott-Nolan in the 1500m. Becca and Revee are ranked in the top 30 from over 300 athletes in the U15 age group nationally. There was pride and points at stake and as they both came into the final straight Becca changed gear and crossed the finishing line in first place - it was a masterclass of front running!
The girls were inspired and Personal Bests by Alisha Panter in the 100m and Megan Craddock in the 800m were backed up by good performances by Emma Brown, Katie Dabson and Alice Devaney.
The stage was set for the final act - the sprint relay, a race we had to win!
Out of the blocks first was Emma Brown who handed the baton over to Hannah Conquest. Sharnbrook were well ahead as Alice Devaney took the baton but what happened next was pure theatre!
She ran an inspired third leg storming past three runners to hand the baton to Alisha. The crowd were on their feet as barely two strides separated the two athletes, but Alisha found the will and the way to cross the finishing tape first ahead of Sharnbrook.
A brilliant achievement - well done!
