PUPILS from the Hereford District excelled at the Hereford and Worcester County Schools' Athletics Championships.

Sarah Weaver (Aylestone) was outstanding in the inter girls sprints, leaving the opposition in her wake while clocking an English Schools qualifying time of 12.5 sec over 100m and 26.5 over 200m.

Rebecca Austin (JK) was a close third in inter girls' 100m (13.2) while Sam Griffiths (JK) ran strongly to claim silver in the junior girls' 100m (13.2sec).

Dave Watson (HCS) held his form over 200m, winning the inter boys' race in 24.3sec, while team-mate Alex Homden (HCS) was unfortunate not to take silver in the 100m (11.7sec).

Sam Horton was the best of Hereford's seniors, second in the 100m (11.7).

Junior hurdler Beccy Heywood (HCS) had to overcome strong opposition from Ella Taylor (Bishop's) to win the 75m hurdles (12.7) while Aylestone's Shaun Bowdler ran strongly to finish second in the 80m hurdles (14.1).

Distance runners picked up a clutch of bronze medals.

Over 1500m Clara Evans (Aylestone) ran 5min 21 in the junior girls' race while Vanessa Brann (JK) ran strongly to clock 5min 11.

The Bishop's duo of Joe Raczowski (2min 22) and George Bee (2min 14) ran positively in their respective junior boys' and inter boys' 800m races, as did Charlie Loughman (HSFC) in the seniors' (2min 18).

In the field events, Ella Taylor (Bishop's) got off to a brilliant start, leaping 1m 55 to win the junior girls' high jump. Hopefully this should secure a place at the English School's Championships. Ellie Viner picked up third with 1m 38.

Pole vaulters Eric Spink (HSFC) and Emily Torplais (HCS) won their respective competitions with leaps of 3m 80 and 2m 60.

In the long jump pit, Aaron Susans (JK) leapt 5m 07 to take silver in the jnuior boys' category.

The hammer throwers were out in force, as Josh Day (HSFC) and Anna Robertson (HSFC) won the senior competitions with throws of 39m 18 and 32m 92 respectively, while Sophia Day (Kingstone) won the inter girls with 20m10.

Anna was also a comfortable winner of the shot (9m 06) with Sarah Connop (HCS) third with 7m 80. Sarah later threw a 26m 23 to win the seniors' discus.

Jade Newman (HCS) produced a series of outstanding throws to win the inter girls' shot (9m 09) and discus 22m 05.

Lee Burge (Aylestone) excelled to finish second in the junior boys' shot (12m 05) while inter boys J Scott (Aylestone) launched the javelin 38m14, enough to clinch gold, and S Hill (JK) threw a respectable 28m 98 to win the junior boys' discus.

Many of these athletes will be selected to represent the county at the Mason Trophy, their last opportunity to gain a qualifying standard for the English Schools Championships.