Upper 5 pupil Isabelle Mardle competed in the English Schools Athletics Championships in Manchester, under 18, 80m Hurdle race and won with a fantastic time of 11.13 seconds. This secured her a place representing England in the school’s international match in Belfast, where she went on to finish second in the competition, completing the 80m hurdles in 11.33 seconds. We caught up with Izzy to find out more about her life as an athlete...
Originally invested in gymnastics it wasn't until an elbow injury meant she explored other sport, where she discovered her love and talent for hurdling, which her sister had recommended trying. After a few athletic sessions Izzy entered a random competition in high jump and hurdles where she was outstandingly in her field. After attempting gymnastics only to find her injury still playing up, Izzy committed to athletics and has been hurdling ever since.
Izzy describes being picked to go to the England Athletics Championships in Belfast as 'very surreal’, as it is the biggest competition she has ever done. She says she was very excited to travel to Belfast with the whole team and receive all the England Athletics kit. She was competing alongside Daley Thompson's son, and other experienced athletes, aged up to 30 years old.
Izzy was unfortunately injured during the championship after hurting her knee a couple of weeks before the competition. She even skipped out on nationals to give it a proper rest. However acupuncture and rest did the trick and Izzy still managed to come an incredible 2nd place finishing the race in 11.33 seconds.
Over the winter months, Izzy will continue to train whilst studying for her GCSE’S next year. With so many co-curricular activities and being a sports scholar, she says that discipline is essential to achieve a balance between school work and training. With supportive friends and family around her, such as her sister who ‘is always at her races’ to cheer her on, she hopes to get a British Record next year.