A TALENTED middle-distance runner lived up to his recent national selection with an emphatic victory at his school sports championships.
Taylor Glover set off so quickly that commentators believed he might have mistakenly thought he was running the 400m rather than the 800m.
The 16-year-old student from Bede Academy, Blyth, almost lapped the slowest competitor at the annual academy track and field championships staged at Monkton Stadium, in Jarrow.
But the impressive display of athleticism and time of 2.05 was still 4/100ths outside Taylor's personal best.
The Year 11 student, who is a member of Morpeth Harriers, was selected last week to compete in the English Schools National Championships, due to be held in Birmingham, in July.
He will compete in his favoured event – the 1500m – where he has already run a PB of 4.04mins.
“This year I’m really concentrating on my running,” he said. “In fact I’m quitting football with Newcastle City so it doesn’t impact on training. The dream is to run for my country one day.”
Hundreds of Year 7-12 boys and girls vied for house honours in a day of track and field events marking the 8th annual Bede Academy sports day.
Heavy morning rain gave way to hot and humid conditions in the afternoon leading to 12 new academy records across the age groups in the various disciplines, all set by the girls.
Ellie Morris started the day with a strong run in the 75m hurdles, following it up by posting new best figures in the high jump. Ellie, a strong all-round performer, represented Northumberland in the recent North East combined events championships.
In Year 7, Isobel Richards achieved new records in the discus and javelin, while the Year 8 stand-out performer was Abbie Ross, who won three events on her way to becoming Victrix Ludorum and also set a new record in the long jump.
In Year 9 Khai Nguyen won the 300m, triple jump and discus events and subsequently lifted the Victor Ludorum, which is awarded to the best all-round male athlete in the year group.
Star of the day, however, was Year 10 student Olivia Quinn, who completed a winning treble in the 100m, 200m and 300m, smashing academy records in all events.
The day finished with the staff -v- sixth form relay, which the staff won for the first time.
Cuthbert house was overall winner followed by Aidan in second place and Oswald house third.
Director of Sport Simon McAree said: “The standard of performance seems to increase every year and this year is no exception. Teams and individuals competed at the highest levels and we are seeing increasing success as the passion for sport develops across all year groups at the academy.”