Pupils celebrate success
Charley Simpson, who will join us from September as a sports scholar, is gearing up for life at the school with a series of fine tournament successes.
The golf star recently qualified for the UK Kids British Championships at Woodall Spa in August after finishing 29th in the European Championship event, which was held at Craigielaw in East Lothian, with players from over 50 countries taking part.
The 18 handicapper also won a Wee Wonders British Championship qualifier at Porthmadog Golf Club, and will now move onto the national final in the Rhondda on July 16.
If he is placed or wins the event, he will test his skills at the home of golf St Andrews in the British finals.
In addition Charley has also represented Denbighshire under 15s and emerged victorious in a recent scratch clash with Dyfed U15s Penrhos Golf Club near Aberystwyth.
Mr Richardson, said: “We are delighted that Charley will be joining us this September, and it is great to see his golf game flourishing at both regional and national level.
“We are confident that he can be the latest in a long line of our sport scholars to achieve success, and we will do our best to ensure his potential is fulfilled.”
Year 8 pupil Zach Speakman competed at the Welsh Open Water Championships, which took place in Tredegar, South Wales on July 2.
The 13 year-old booked his place at the competition by achieving the qualifying times in comfortable fashion, and has already begun training for the event at Lake Padarn in Llanberis.
This success comes after Zach agonisingly missed out on the British Summer Championships by one second at a Sheffield Meet in May, where he claimed silver in the 400m individual medley and bronze in the 200m butterfly.
He is currently ranked 26th in the UK in the 14-year age category for the 400 IM, a considerable improvement on his 70 ranking just six months ago.
Zach is also ranked third in Wales in the 200m butterfly, and six in all other strokes thanks to medal winnings performances at prestigious competitions including the Urdd National Gala this season.
Mr Ruskowski, said: “Zach has enjoyed a wonderful season to date and is now taking his talents to the open water, which will be a fantastic experience for him.
“Despite missing out on the British Championships by one second, he comes an enormously long way this season and if he continues to develop at his current rate, then Zach will be making his presence felt on the British stage in no time at all.”
Six teams from the school travelled to the Queen Mary Reservoir in Middlesex to compete at the Inland National Championships, which were held from June 25-26.
The unlucky pair of Kevin and Eddie Farrell thought they had claimed a notable victory in the final race of the meeting, but after leading from start-to-finish they were disqualified after they were over the line at the start thanks in no small part due to the blustery conditions.
Welsh internationals Ewan Luke and Zac Blomeley also performed well to finish in mid-fleet, while the other competitors’ gave a good account of themselves in what was for some their first taste of national competition.
Mr Cashell, said: “In total 72 boats and 140 competitors made for an impressive spectacle and a great atmosphere in the boat park. Racing was over two days and a total of six long races made up the series.
“It was a great experience on the water for our young pupils, and a demonstration of the ability of the best in the country.”
Martyna Ruszkowska has been rewarded for a series of fine performances with selection to the Great Britain Summer Championship, which will be held at Ponds Forge in Sheffield from July 26–31.
During the event she will compete seven individual events, in addition to three relays.
The 15 year-old has enjoyed a standout season to date, with medal success at both the Irish Open and Urdd National Gala.
A member of the Swim Wales squad, Martyna is now ranked number five in Great Britain in the 50m butterfly and sixth in the 400m individual medley as she looks to gain further national honours in the future.
The talented swimmer has also been selected as part of the Wales squad for the 2016 School Games, which will be held in Swansea from September 1-4.
Mr Ruszkowski, said: “Martyna has enjoyed a fabulous season to date and is thoroughly deserving of her selection to compete at the GB Summer Championships.
“She is undoubtedly one of the most gifted swimmers in the country in her age category, and her tremendous work ethic ensures that she will gets the most out her gift."