Sir John Deane’s Sixth Form College athletes have stormed the national stage, delivering an outstanding performance at the England Schools Athletics Association Cross Country Finals.
Competing against the best in the country, the girls Cross Country team secured an impressive second place overall – and proudly claimed the title of top state school, down from an initial field of 215 teams. They finished only behind Guildford High School, a Surrey-based independent school renowned for its sporting pedigree.
The event, held at Princethorpe College in Warwickshire on Saturday 6th December, featured a fiercely competitive field, including the U18 European 3k champion and many of the country’s top U18 cross-country runners. Against this elite line-up, Sir John Deane’s athletes rose to the challenge and delivered exceptional individual performances, with the points accumulation from the top four runners determining the overall positioning.
- Eva Jha – 9th
- Esme Heavey – 12th
- Hayley Holland – 45th
- Holly Coates – 51st
Two non-scorers also made their mark:
- Eva Mion – 59th
- Chloe Taylor – 129th
This incredible result reflects the dedication, talent, and teamwork of the athletes and their coaches, cementing Sir John Deane’s growing reputation in school athletics.
Jenny Thorp, Head of PE and Sport at the college, said: “I couldn’t be prouder of this team. To finish second overall against such a strong field – and to be the top state school – is a phenomenal achievement. Every runner gave their all, and their commitment and resilience really shone through. This result is a testament to the incredible work being done by the athletic clubs in the area and the fantastic support from everyone involved”