Loreto Preparatory School’s magnificent seven formed the heart and soul of the North of England’s silver medal team in the Independent Schools’ Association junior athletics championships in Birmingham.
Spring-loaded high jumper Ella Gillespie and fleet-footed 600-metre runner Aisling McHale were crowned national champions, but it was the strength in depth supplied by the Loreto Prep girls that saw the Northern team’s podium success.
Pictured from left to right are: Amira McvWilliams, 11, from Altrincham, who came fourth in the 80 metres and fourth in the relay; Verity Charnley, 10, from Wilmslow, who came seventh in the 600 metres; Aisling McHale, 10 from Altrincham, who came first in the 600 metres; Olivia Ikang, 10, from Sale, who came second in the relay; Ella Gillespie, 10, from Timperley, who came first in the high jump and fourth in the long jump; Orla Gregory, 11, from Appleton, who came seventh in the 600 metres and Orla Flynn, 10, from Hale who came fifth in the rounders ball.
Loreto Preparatory School’s Head of PE, Jan Brett, said: “This was a stellar performance from our little stars on a national stage.
“They have been an absolute joy to work with over the last few years; two of the girls are moving on to secondary school and we wish them every success inside and outside the classroom, but luckily we have the other five for another year.”
