STUDENTS proved to be six of the best after being selected to run for the county in a prestigious national competition.
A record six students from Carmel College were among the 48-strong County Durham squad at the English Schools’ Cross Country Championships.
Staged at Donington Park in Leicestershire, the runners were in a field 420 strong competing against some of the best young athletes in the country.
They competed in boys and girls events at the junior, intermediate and senior levels, all performing strongly at distances ranging from 2.5 to five miles on a dry windy day.
Dean Newton, 17, finished a creditable 38th place with the rest of the Carmel contingent all securing places in the top half of the field.
Emily Alderson, 17, finished 91st, Bradley Davies, 14, 109th, Mikayla Jordens, 15, was 152nd, Kyle Davidson, 14, 177th and Katie Noble, 14, was 190th.
Curriculum leader for PE and Durham Schools’ team manager Simon Hannaford said: “Having six students in the team is exceptional and they all performed extremely well.
“Dean was really impressive with a superb placing. In the summer he is hoping to perform well on the track in 800m, 1500m and 3000m events and achieve the England Schools’ qualifying time.
“Kyle was a last minute substitute when one of the team broke his arm and managed to run the third best time of the Durham team. The students all had an absolutely fantastic day.”
