Friday 7th & Saturday 8th July - ESSA Championships, Birmingham
The 87th ESSA Track & Field Championships were held at the Alexander Stadium, Birmingham, on Friday 7th and Saturday 8th July 2017. It was warm sunny, ideal weather condition for track and field events.
The ESSA Championships are organised entirely by volunteer teachers and bring together the best athletes in each County in England to compete for the honour of being the best athlete in the Country at their event. Entry to the event is by virtue of athletes being selected by County Team Managers to represent their County. Nearly all of the UK Olympic Athletics team members have featured in the ESAA Championships. Jasmine’s long term goal is to represent her country in the 2020 Olympics.
On Friday 7th, GCA Head Girl, Jasmine Jolly competed in the 1st heat of three in the 300m hurdles event. The main focus here was to finish in top 2 positions to qualify for the final on Saturday. She finished second in her heats in a time of 44.66sec, 0.24sec below her personal best of 43.42sec. She was pleased with her performance and immediately turned her focus to the finals on Saturday.
In the final of the under 17 girls 300m hurdles, there were eight competitors representing their schools and counties. Jasmine lined up amongst the best athletes in the country ready to battle for the title. She blasted out of the blocks quickly to the first hurdles getting up to top speed, using good hurdle technique, power and speed endurance to win the race in a time of 42.55sec.
Jasmine commented “I was very determined and trained hard to run faster in the final and produce my season best to eclipse my previous personal best of 43.42sec to win the race". She has been selected to represent GCA and England in the Schools International Championships to be held in Dublin on Saturday 16th July. Excellent effort!!! GCA staff and students are proud of you. Wishing you well for the future.
Saturday 15th July - SIAB Championships, Dublin
Head Girl Jasmine Jolly represented England and GCA in the Schools International Athletic Board Championships (SIAB) held in Dublin on Saturday 15th July. Each country - England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland sent their 300m hurdle champion to compete for the coveted title - UK Champion of Champions.
Jasmine race strategy was to get out very fast, avoid hitting any of the hurdles and get to the finish line first, She was able to execute her plan and beat her competitors - winning the race in a time of 44.66 sec, 2.11sec off her personal Best.
Jasmine was also selected to run in the 300m x300m relay team, the English team won the event. Her total medal tally is 2 gold medals and she is now ranked number in the UK in her event.
Jasmine said " I was very fortunate to represent my Country and GCA in such a major competition and wanted to bring home a medal of any colour, to get two gold medals is beyond my dreams"
As a result of her success, she is selected to compete in the Sainsbury School games in September - great job Jasmine!!