National Schools Titles for Jade and Tim

By Joe, 20 September, 2016

Jade O’Dowda and Tim Stephens brought off an amazing double at the ESAA English Schools’ Combined Events Championships in Exeter.

Jade O’Dowda, a 17-year-old student at Gosford Hill School, won the Intermediate Girls’ Heptathlon with a total of 5,226 points. Her individual performances included 11.55 secs for the 80m Hurdles, a 1.68m high jump, 25.57 secs 200m, 5.83m long jump, and 2:23.8 for 800m.

Jade’s score moves her up to second in the all-time British Under 17 rankings, ahead of Katarina Johnson-Thompson and just behind Morgan Lake. Jade will make her Indoors international debut for England in Glasgow in December.

While Jade O’Dowda was the likely favourite, Tim Stephens’ victory in the Senior Boys’ Decathlon was in doubt until the final event. Despite some excellent marks, including a 50.19 400m and 15.29 for the 110m Hurdles, he was down in third place when the athletes lined up for the 1500m. But he clinched the title with a sprint finish that took him away from his main rivals for a 4:15.03 clocking and his highest individual score in the competition.

Tim’s total of 6,598 points took the Oxford 18 year-old to fourth place in the current British rankings.

The Oxfordshire Intermediate Girls’ Heptathlon team finished fourth, with Zoe Pollock, Rebecca Scott, Victoria Harte and Petrina Chantler Edmond also competing.