| South Birmingham Athletics Trials - 16 May 2011 |
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Thirty St Thomas Aquinas athletes made their way to Tudor Grange athletics track on the 16th May to compete in South Birmingham athletic trials. The squad of thirty, 15 boys and 15 girls, from year 8, 9 and 10 were split into 3 age divisions. U14's juniors and also the inter group. Year 8 competed in the under 14's, year 9 competed in the junior events and our year 10's competed in the inter division which also included athletes from year 11. The track and field events were dominated by our top athletes and a number of special mentions need to be made. Jacob O'Rourke completed the 1500m in a staggering 4mins:55sec's to leave the rest of the field behind him. Reece Chapman-Carry won his 200m sprint with some ease and Tre'rail Peters recorded a personal best of 11∙5s in the 100m sprint. Liam Daly won the javelin, discus and the shot-putt and really stamped his authority on the junior field events. Shaun Hunter recorded 3 wins and a second place in the four events in which he competed and Darius Williams excelled in the triple jump and came first.  The girls were also performing to an excellent level. Hayley Hunter ran amazingly well in her 200m sprint and came second, but only second to a future England athletics star. The inter girls 100m sprint saw STACS positioned 1st and 2nd with Hayley Hunter and Danea Campbell running impressive races. Ursula Hardy proved too strong for the other competitors and recorded another 1st place in the inter girls 300m sprint. Our younger girls were also getting a taste for victory with Devon Markley winning her 100m and 200m race. Alaina Williams competed in both track and field and was a force to be reckoned with in both disciplines notching a first place finish in the U14 girls 100m.  It was evident at the competition the team cohesion of our athletics squad and this was emphasised by the way they encouraged one another and willed each other on. The level of ability present throughout our squad is amazing, but the respect and admiration for one another is far more pleasing to see. Even in the few events where Tommie's weren't 1st 2nd or 3rd our students remained courteous to one another and really personified the team spirit by shouting and cheering them to the end. A great day was had by all and I would personally like to thank the students that attended the event for being ambassadors of St Thomas Aquinas in the way that they conducted themselves and behaved both on and off the track.  Well done to the following:  Mr Lowe |