Southern Schools Biathlon Championships

5th October, 2003

The Kelly College Swim Squad set out at 5.30 in the morning on Sunday, 5^th October to take part, for the first time, in the South of England Schools’ Biathlon Championships (Swim/Run).  These championships were held at Northcroft Leisure Centre in Newbury, Berkshire.

Kelly College had a small squad of girls, many of whom were competing in biathlon for the first time.  Sophie Stanford, Meghan Spence, Whitney Bowrin, Megan Tinsley, Annie Tinsley, Amy Bayliss and Jo John all performed well and used this event as a warm-up for next weeks South West Biathlon qualifier.  Jo John placed 6^th in the Teachers event.

The day really belonged to the Kelly College boys who, in their first competition since June, came home with a fist full of medals. 

Year 6 boys led the way with Alex Shepard and Mark Brend, with Mark taking the gold in the swim and 2^nd place overall, qualifying him for the national championships.  Year 7 boys, and Lawrence Oxborough placed 6^th with Adam John 8^th.

Years 8, 9 and 10, and the Kelly boys clinched 2^nd place in all three years with Gregg Shrosbree, Matthew Henry and Alex Richards all qualifying for the National Championships to be held next year in March at Sheffield.  Year 9 boys, Matthew Henry, Philip Channon and Jonathan Sprague, also qualified by being placed 2^nd in the team event, whilst Kyle Bayliss (year 10) also qualified in 6^th place in the individual event.

The highlight of the day came in the last two events with year 12/13 boys, Matthew Slator, Matthew Hill and Thomas Phillips taking the team gold, whilst Matthew Slator won the individual with Thom 4^th and Matthew Hill 5^th.  Not to be outdone, Richard Brady then took top spot in the Teachers event.

Kelly College have 8 boys qualified for the individual event at the National Championships on March 7^th 2004 plus two teams.