Ulster Schools’ Track and Field Championships

Congratulations to Grosvenor’s outstanding track and field athletics team, which produced a string of outstanding performances to return from the 2024 Ulster Schools’ Championships with an impressive five gold and four silver medals.

Grosvenor’s gold rush was led by standout sprinter Ben Sykes, Year 11, who stormed to victory in a scorching time of 10.89 seconds, to secure victory in the Intermediate Boys’ 100 metres. Inspired by Ben’s phenomenal performance, victory was also secured by Jonny McLaughlin, Year 14, who claimed gold in the Para Javelin (19.68 metres), as well as the Minor Boys’ 4x100 metres relay team, comprising Zayn Ahmed, Jacob Cochrane, Jeydhel Cabuhal and Isiah Erhabor, whose time of 49.27 seconds was enough to see them cross the finish line in first place. On the girls’ side, meanwhile, gold was further secured by the Senior Girls’ 4x100 metres relay team, of Erin Cross, Mia Ferguson, Ellie Burgess and Martha Orr (51.45s) as well as the 4x300 metres relay team, comprising the same personnel as the sprint relay team, in a time of 3 minutes 06.21 seconds.

Not content with an impressive quintet of gold medals, the Grosvenor team further built on these victories with four second place finishes – Karl Martin (Senior Boys’ Triple Jump, 12.73 metres), Noah Harper (Intermediate Boys’ Triple Jump, 2 minutes 00.78 seconds), Martha Orr (Intermediate Girls’ 300 metres, 42.20 seconds) and the Senior Boys’ 4x400 metres relay team, of Josh Ness, Noah Harper, Karl Martin and Finn Cross (3 minutes 37.24 seconds).

Elsewhere, notable performances were also recorded by the Senior Boys’ 4x100 metres relay team (4th, 46.59 seconds), Fraser Nicholl (Mini Boys’ shot, 4th - 8.67 metres), Harrison Finlay (Inter Boys’ 400 metres hurdles, 5th - 67.19 seconds), Mia Ferguson (Senior Girls’ Long Jump, 5th – 4.78 metres), Karl Martin (Senior Boys’ Long Jump, 6th – 5.52 metres), Ellie Burgess (Senior Girls’ Triple Jump, 6th – 9.18 metres; 200 metres, 8th – 28.91 seconds), Conor Allen (Senior Boys’ Triple Jump, 7th – 11.37 metres), the Junior Boys’ 4x100 metres relay team (8th, 50. 55 seconds), Finn Cross (Senior Boys’ 800 metres, 9th – 2 minutes 06.41 seconds) and Luuka Harkness (Junior Boys’ High Jump, 11th – 1.52 metres).

Well done to each of the aforementioned performers on their impressive displays on the day – to return with a haul of nine medals in total, including five gold, is a phenomenal feat. We now wish the best of luck to all 13 athletes who have qualified to compete at the elite Irish Schools’ Championships, to be held in Tullamore on Saturday 1st June.