On Sunday the 18th of June the British Schools Biathle Championships took place at Leweston in Dorset. Biathle is Run/Swim/Run.
Liam Neil, U13 from Team Kennet, younger sister Sophie Neil of Robert Sandilands School and Penelope Lyth U11 from Team Kennet, Fir Tree Primary in Newbury took part in the Championships.
First up was Sophie Neil in the Yr 3 category. Sophie had a good start in about 4th position before moving ahead at the end of the first run. A small mistake in transition as she missed her box, gave her opposition a chance to get back on terms with her. Sophie had a very strong swim and then came out of the swim alongside one other competitor. She took a slight lead into the run but was overtaken about half way round and edged out for the Gold and thus had to settle for the Silver medal.
Next up was Penelope in the Year 5 category. Penelope had a rough start trying to get to the front of the pack and went into transition further back than she would have liked. Transition went well and coming out of the pool she knew she had work to do on her final run. She gained several places and finished in a well earned 8th.
Liam Neil competed under Sandilands banner for the last time as he is Yr 6 and will be moving to St. Gabriels in September. Liam had spent the week away on a residential school trip and so expectations were not high. Liam started well in the top 6 as the run got going. He did then start to look a little tired in the run and dropped to 8th. Credit had to be given as he dug deep and he transitioned well and backed it up with a good swim. He came out of the pool and transition in a battle for the 5th/6th spots. A fight to the end and losing on the dip meant a very respectable 6th spot.
Liam will now prepare to head off to compete for GBR at the European Laser Run Championships (Shooting and Running) in Munich in just over a weeks time. He is bottom of his age group but is part of a very strong GBR team.
