Harry and Henry with their medals at the Welsh Schools Track & Field Championships

Athletes from Haberdashers’ Monmouth Schools have won eight medals at the Welsh Schools Track & Field Championships in Cardiff.
Henry was the star performer, clinching titles in both the U20 Men/Senior Boys 3000m and the U20 Men/Senior Boys 800m – and a bronze medal in the U20 Men/Senior Boys 4x100m relay.
Harry triumphed in the U17 Men/Middle Boys 800m and has gained automatic selection for the Welsh Schools team for next Saturday’s (15th July) SIAB international in Grangemouth, Scotland.
Aharon won silver in the U20M long jump, bronze in the pole vault and bronze in the U20 Men/Senior Boys 4x100m relay.
Victoria had an excellent competition, winning a bronze medal in the U15G/Junior Girls’ Triple Jump, achieving a distance of 9.09m.
Last year, Victoria qualified for the high jump and the versatile athlete has had a fine season, winning the district trials in a new record, the county championships and the county team event, and the Haberdashers’ Under-16 title.
The Haberdashers’ Monmouth athletes all represented South-East Wales in the premier athletics event of the season for Welsh schools, at Cardiff International Sports Campus.
Aharon was unfortunate that his main two events clashed, but he did extremely well to claim silver in the long jump with a best jump of 5.91m and a bronze in the pole vault with 3.57m.
Henry paced himself impressively in the combined 3000m race in windy conditions; it was the two middle boys from Dyfed who made the early running with senior athletes tucking in behind.
Henry hit the front with 700m remaining, gradually lifting the pace and saw off his main rival with a sub 60 second last lap to win a close race in a highly respectable time of 8:52 minutes.
Henry was back on track just three hours later in the 800m. After a slow first lap (65 seconds), Henry hit the front at the bell and stormed clear in the last 60m to win a glorious double gold in 2:02 minutes.
Harry shone in the U17 Men/Middle Boys 800m. After winning the 1500m last year and being ranked top in Wales for the U17 800m, Harry was the favourite for the race. He didn’t disappoint, delivering an outstanding tactical performance to clinch gold in 2:02 minutes.
The South-East Wales team were a runner short for the U20 Men/Senior Boys 4x100m relay, so Henry offered to make up the squad. In a team which included Aharon, both Monmouth students bagged a bronze medal.
Alice also competed in the U15G/Junior Girls’ 1500m, finishing a respectable seventh place and is now looking forward to the cross-country and fell running seasons.