Figure 1.--.
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Figure 1.--. |
Athlectic is generally the term for track and field in Britain. Prep schools introduce the children to a wide range of these events Athletics is commonly dome as a school event with the different houses competing against each other, commonly on the school Sports Day. Here the competitions are organized around house competitions. Houses at prep schools are organized differently than at public schools. These intra-school competitions are one of the main purposs of prep school houses. Also there are meets held with other schools. There are also Nationals held in Britain for the very best performers.
The good weather on the 16th May attracted a big crowd of spectators to the Lions v Eagles Sports. Lions tried valiantly to avenge their defeats of the previous two years and for some time held their own. Eventually, however, the superior strength of the Eagles House, both in track and field events, especially at Senior level, began to tell and they pulled away to win by 229 1/2 points to 183 1/2. This was Eagles' third successive triumph on Sport' Day but, to their credit, Lions fought hard all the way, right up to the final Relay. Adter tea in the New Hall the Sports Cups were kinfly presented to the winners ny P.S. Geoghegan, father of the School captain.
N.D. The Aquileon, (Belmont School, Feldemore), 1986-87
After a vintage year it is always with some weariness and trepidation that a new term begins. It is pleasant to report that at the end of the 1988 season everyone could be well satisfied with a highly successful and enjoyable season.
The senior sprinting department was 'adequate' without being 'scintillating' but there were some sound performances by Robert Parker-Swift, Max Britten, Robert Jackson and Jonathan Goodfellow. As expected, the middle and longer distances were dominated by the outstanding athlete of the year, Richard Seldon. The fact that he broke both the 400m and 1500m records on Athletic Says says much for his undoubted ability. He ran with commendable dedication and consistency throoughout the sason and was unfortunate that conditions were not in his favour at the National Championships, where he finished a priseworthy but, for him, disappointing sixth. However his run in the match against Wolborough, where he won in 4 min 52 secs, to break the meeting record, will long be remembered.
There is usually one person who 'comes through' in his last year and this distinction in 1988 belonged to Tim Porter. Strong and powerful, he developed into a sound hurdler, above-average shot-putter, and gritty long jumper!
Field events were bound to suffer by comparison with the heady days of 1987, but there were some notable efforts, particularly from Robert Parker-Swift in shot and discus, and the admirably consistent Alistair Crawford in the javelin.
The future of Atletics looks bright indeed throughout the school. Jonathan Goodfellows achieved a notable 3rd in the U.13 National Triple Jump and Toby Borradaile also qualified for the Nationals at both the U.13 Long Jump and Hurdle! The Juniors are often overlooked, but were determined not to ne upstaged in 1988. A win in the U.12 competition at the Kelly Athletics meeting set the stage with particularly impressive performances from Charles Reeves in the hurdles and 100m, James Macleod in the 800m, and the precocious talent of Rupert Seldon in the 200m and high jump. The relay squad of Reeves, Macleod, Seldon and Mark Gent also achieved an exciting victory in the 4 x 100 relay, over a powerful team from The Downs.
So, blessed with good weather and no injury problems, we can look forward with well-founded hopefulness to the future, with no school record safe--a most pleasing and exciting prospect!
Graham Bush, Fanfare (Mount House School), Autumn 1988
We decided because of the unbalanced nature of the Houses with regards toage and sex, it would be fairer to award cups for the cross-country age-groups on a incividual basis rather than have an inter-house competition like last year. With four cups to be awarded, we divided the pupils un to Seniors, Middies, and Juniots; where all pupils would compete; and also held a separate girls race. The events were heald on the afternoon of 30th. November, and thankfully it was a cool, crisp day so the farm tracks were not too muddy. The courses were clearly marked out beforehand by Mr. Johnson, and were marshalled at every turning point. Everyone completed the courses without any problems. The cup winners Ameen Kamlana (Oriel) for the Juniors; Alex Cornwell (Belliol) for the Middies and Graves (Oriel. Churchill failed to win a cup. Form 1 were not to be forgotten. They had their own course marked out by Mrs. Parnaby. They all ran extremely well: Claire Marsh led most of the way round but was just pipped at the post by Mark Moore. These youngest children werevall awarded a packet of sweets for their efforts, with an additional prize for mark, the winner.
K.E.R., "Harecroft Hall Newsletter," Decenber 1988.
The First Form were off, followed by the girls, and then finally the boys. We had been waiting for this moment for weeks and weeks. The starter gun was firedand everyone tore down Haines Park and accross the road. Noone wanted to be left behind. In a few seconds we were past Mr Stanion, who was busy being drenched by the rain ans slashed as childrentorpedoed by him. My heart seemed to be going at about a thousand beats per minute. I was anout halfway in the line of boys. As we rocketed past the parents at the bottom of Queen's Drive, we heard the Mums complaining avout the washing they were going to have to do.
I was not bothered about the stiles so I just climbed the fence, jumped and landed in a very big, muddy puddle. I did not mind at all. We wnt over to Trull Stream, along the back of the caravans and accross Victoria Falls, without stopping once. We ran through the playing fields, past Trull School and then all the way back again. It seemed only a few minutes until I crssed the finishing-line and got a card with my position on it. I handed it to Mr New who thought I looked filthy.
Sometimes I wonder how Mr New survived, because some mothers seemed very willing to throw the dirty kit at him. Overall it was an excellent event which was totally enjoyable for everyone.
David Murphy, Junior Wyvern (Queen's College Junior School), 1989-90.
The High Jump story coulf fill a book by itself! Hichin's 22 year-old record of 142 cm (4 ft 8 in.) lookd in danger from the beginning of term. Lockwood cleared 138 cm indoors early on and I am sure he would have surpassed 142 cm had injury not prevented him. Wooley J. then assumed responsibility for erasing the record, clearing 140 cm indoors a few weeks before Sports Day. On the day, the recor was indeed broken -- but not by Wooley. Lean 'came from nowhere' to clear 143 cm (4ft 8 1/4 in.). Wooley, however, was undismayed and at Nevill Holt towards the end of the term he delayed proceedings by some 15 minutes as he hurled himself even higher, setting a most impressive record of 147 cm (4 ft 10 in.). Well worth waiting 22 years!
The School Record (Beachborough School), September 1979.
Ouff ... puff ... gasp ,,, puff. I was puffed out, but I carried on for my house. Cathy Gillard was in front of me and I was determined to overtake her. Eventually I did and sailed off. I did short slow jogs and then sprinted.
Katy Harris, Great Walstead Magazine 1987.
