THE Channel Islands under-13 girls’ squad has earned third spot in the final of the Norwich Union Sportshall Series. The event, at the National Indoor Arena, Birmingham, was a fine showcase for the future athletes.

Record-breaking individual performances and victories by the narrowest of margins showed that standards in Sportshall Athletics continue to climb.

The UK final was the culmination of three national finals, Scotland, Ulster and Wales, in addition to fifteen regional events throughout the UK.

Again, the CI team, which progressed to the final as South-of-England regional champions, upset the odds by finishing in third overall and in the process winning two individual gold medals and first place in the relay.

Gemma Dawkins won the six-lap race; Kimberley Gleeson became UK champion in the four-lap race; and the team of Amy Dingle, Jenna Murphy, Dawkins and Gleeson completely destroyed the opposition to win the gold medal in the four x two-lap sprint relay.

Murphy finished in second place to win the silver medal in the speed bounce.

Other team members who contributed to the result were: Stephanie Le Ruez, vertical jump; Emma Wilton, shot putt; Ruth Stilwell, speed bounce; Hermione Benest, triple jump; Kelly Loveridge, four-lap sprint and long jump; Bonny Le Noury, six-lap race and vertical jump; Nicole Goddard, shot putt; Lucy Crossman, long jump; and Pearl Rabet, relay.