Gladstone Road School retain sportshall title

Gladstone Road grabbed the overall glory after winning the larger schools event with the biggest points tally of both the large and smaller schools categories.

Approximately 160 children took part in the 15th final and the finals were watched by around 200 parents adding to the electric atmosphere in the sports centre on Filey Road.

The competition was, as always, very popular, and highly competitive between staff and pupils.

Competition organiser Steve Staveley said: “This really is the coveted title that most schools want to win and it develops fantastic team spirit as the children experience sporting highs and lows.

“As well as experiencing many emotions including nerves, anxiety, excitement, and of course, it shows how to demonstrate good sporting behaviour, which is an absolutely vital life-skill.”

Several records were broken this year as Livvy Bourne broke the record for the vertical jump, the Gladstone Road pupil jumping 52cm, while her teammate Emmanuel Pulido broke the corresponding boys’ record with 53cm.

Joseph Witty, from Wheatcroft, broke the speed bounce record with 132 jumps, while Seamer & Irton’s Brandon Dixon’s time of 12.93 seconds was enough to break the one-lap race record.

Two of the team records were also beaten as victors Gladstone Road turned on the style.

They broke the parlauf race time with 2 minutes 28 seconds before also beating the four one-lap hurdles relay race record with a time of 58.06 seconds.

Wheatcroft claimed their first-ever smaller schools title, beating holders East Ayton.

Ayton had held the title for the past five years so this was a major achievement by the Wheatcroft team.

Gladstone Road won the larger schools’ event for a fourth consecutive year, although Seamer & Irton pushed them all the way.