This Is Guernsey

By Matt Lihou

Outstanding performer Eben Marsh leaps to a new Year 7 long jump record of 5.10m. (Picture by Steve Sarre, 0590961)

THE sprinters dominated Tuesday’s Island Secondary Schools’ Sports Day, as records galore were sent tumbling.

All but one of the 100m sprints saw a one equalled or bettered and in total there were eight new bests in both the track and field. It was a staggering performance when you consider how long many of the records have stood and some of the names of those who set them.

Although the racing conditions were absolutely perfect, there is no doubt that the performances of the athletes were as equally stunning.

A further six records were equalled and one of these came in one of the races of the day when Theresa Roberts equalled the 100m time of 13.2sec. set a quarter-of-a-century ago, narrowly beating her competitors over the line.

She set a new Year 8 standard of 27.4 outright in the 200m.

In terms of pure drama, however, the Year 9 boys’ 200m race was in a league of its own.

St Sampson’s Will Garnett and Sam Stonebridge of Beaucamps were nip and tuck for the entire race.

In the end, it was Garnett who got his head down and over the line first to win it by the tightest of margins.

He went on to break the 100m record in 11.7.

The most dominant performance of the day came from young St Sampson’s athlete Eben Marsh.

He set records in both sprint events with 12.8 and 26.8, smashing the longer distance by a second, as well as moving the long-jump record forward by half-a-metre.

Despite his dominance, St Sampson’s came away empty-handed but the trophies were shared around.

That is a trend that may well continue into the future, with this being the last year with so many teams, as from next year some of the schools are merging.

Ladies’ College dominated in the lower years, taking two trophies, and Les Beaucamps also won two of the boys’ trophies, with La Mare de Carteret winning a solitary Year 8 boys’ trophy.

The Grammar School were the most successful and won the rest of the awards, a total of four trophies, including the prestigious combined Year 10 event.

This was a trophy that had seemed destined to be heading to the joint efforts of Elizabeth College and Blanchelande. However, in the final relay, the college were disqualified after a second-place finish, allowing Grammar in to nick it.

David Wray, the Elizabeth College teacher, was understandably disappointed.

‘I’m absolutely gutted for the boys who have worked so hard and they deserved better.’

One positive for the college was the performance of Jacques Ogier who beat the 100m record with 11.5sec. and equalled the 200m mark of 23.2.

Another of their teachers, Mike Garnett, was full of praise for Ogier.

‘He works really hard at his athletics and it is brilliant to see him do so well individually. He will now look forward to the inter-0insular with confidence.’

The Grammar sports teacher, Chris du Feu, was over the moon that his school had had such a successful day.

‘I’m very happy for the guys, who have worked extremely hard in training.’

Du Feu was just as happy with the overall competition and believes the event has a strong future.

‘There were some superb performances and it is great to see the trophies being shared around.

‘This is the best event on the calendar and it gets better year after year.’

However, he did have sympathy for the College after the relay.

‘Their students will naturally be very disappointed with what happened.

‘I feel especially sorry for Blanchelande, who just missed out on the combined event, after producing a stunning performance when you look at their size.’

The young talent on show throughout the entire day makes the future of Guernsey athletics look very secure.

Development officer Lee Merrien was clearly impressed.

‘It’s always nice to see records being beaten and especially the amount that were taken today,’ he said.

‘It is also very pleasing and reassuring to see the trophies being spread around. If records are beaten or trophies lost, then it gives everyone that extra incentive to win them back next year.’

The Commonwealth and Island Games middle-distance star was also pleased with the support on offer from the Garenne Stand.

‘It’s encouraging to see such a big crowd watching these events and it can only be positive for the future of local athletics.’

Year 7 girls’ 100m winner Lisa de Sousa was another record-breaker in 13.5, as was Chloe Huxster in the Year 9 race over the same distance in 12.7.