STRATFORD AC juniors Issy Cain-Daley and Emily Madden Forman signed off excellent seasons by winning silver medals in the UK School Games in Manchester.
The two girls were competing for the Midlands in the Sainsbury’s Games, which give youngsters a taste of a multi-event competition.
Emily, in her first season as a triple jumper, had been ‘very disappointed’ to finish fourth the previous week in the national championships, having not been outside the top two all season.
But a refreshed and determined Emily took her place among champions from across the UK — and leapt to silver.
A steady opening jump of 10.85 metres and an instruction from her coach to ‘go for it and enjoy it’ brought a positive response and her next five jumpers were all over 11 metres into a strong headwind. Her best jump was11.53, just below her PB.
Emily said: “It’s been a great experience being with the other athletes. I’ve only started training and competing in triple jump this season and now going to Manchester has made me more determined to go again in next year’s Games when I’ll be in the top of the age group and more experienced.”
High jumper Issy had been in the top three in all six championships she has competed in, including winning bronze at the nationals.
She started very smoothly through the opening rounds with first-time clearances. Three girls cleared 1.69 so they were to decide the medals and Izzy just failed to clear three superb attempts at 1.72m to bow out. But her flawless effort up to the final height was enough to secure silver.
“It’s great to finish the season with another medal and the experience of being a part of the Midlands team was really good,” said Izzy.
