Invicta East Kent claimed four first place finishes at the virtual English Schools National Championships.

This summer’s event, for school-age athletes, would have been the 90th year but the Invicta East Kent athletes were still able to compete remotely with their times recorded at the Canterbury Academy.

Thirteen athletes from the Canterbury-based club took part and there were first place finishes for Jake Goodman (senior boys’ 200m, 21.82secs), Charlotte Henrich (junior girls’ 300m, 41.97), Matt Stonier (senior boys’ 1500m, 3:46.65) and Alex Millard in the senior girls’ 1500m in a time of 4:27.00.

In addition, there was a second placed finish for Darcie Maple (junior girls’ 100m, 13.03) as well as third for Jake Meager (intermediate boys’ 200m, 24.70) and Freya Lee (senior girls’ 400m, 64.00).

Chloe Sumner clocked a fantastic 12.78 in the intermediate girls’ 100m to finish in fifth while Scarlet Thomas-Wright finished ninth in the same virtual race with 13.00.

Newcomer Jenna Humphreys ran an impressive 13.89 to finish in eighth place behind training partner Darcie in the junior girls’ 100m.

Oliver Scott finished 10th in the junior boys’ 1500m in 4:46 with just three seconds separating himself and seventh place. Training partners Maya Ambroisine and Emelia Lester finished in 11th and 12 th in the intermediate girls’ 200m in 30.50 and 31.30 respectively.

“What incredible performances from our small East Kent club,” sprints coach Claire Battersby said.

“Huge thanks to the English Schools Athletics Association for putting on such a fantastic virtual event.

“I think all the athletes needed it in order to have a sense of where they are up to with their training, to get that race experience - albeit in a socially distanced, different setting.

“I know, for our sprinters, it really lifted their spirits and I couldn’t be more proud of the times they have produced. They’ve worked so hard both in returning to training but prior to that when running alone as well.”

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