THE levels of athletic achievement were raised in more ways than one as Meridian athlete Will Dacey won the senior boys’ 110-metre hurdles in a championship best time as well as the Javelin at the recent North Herts Schools’ Senior Championships.

He has remained unbeaten in for three impressive seasons at these finals in the former event on what was a successful day for some of Royston’s young athletes.

Another talented Meridian athlete, Roberto Thomas, successfully defended his 800m title with an impressive run to capture his fifth consecutive gold in the event.

Both were outstanding achievements on an evening where the competition was very close as all the schools in the district battled for honours.

Dan Jinkerson, Ayrron Armstrong, Thomas and Dacey also brought home silver in the 4 x 100m relay. Jinkerson had earlier impressed with a gutsy run in the 3000m to take a well-deserved bronze.

Swift-heeled Armstrong won silver in both the 200m and long jump and Lyndon Farmer jumped 1.55m to lift a hard-earned bronze.

Lauren Brain led the way for the girls with a PB in the shot putt to win a bronze medal.

Captain, Sarah Jonas, led by example in the 100m, long jump and relay with some gutsy performances while Chloe Coussans stepped up and scored valuable points in the toughest track event – the 400m.

The Meridian team finished a creditable fifth in the Combined Team event just behind the impressive Highfield School (Letchworth).

Head of PE at Meridian School, Russell Franklin, was proud of the effort his athletes put in on the day and said: “These committed athletes put themselves up for the challenge and gave everything and were a credit to themselves, Meridian and Royston.”

Greneway assistant headteacher, Terry Graves, was equally pleased with what he saw and said: “The Greneway/Meridian Lee Valley athletics experience before Easter certainly inspired these athletes. Their efforts, courage, determination and excellence – all Olympic values – deserve recognition and celebration. These athletes all showed the ‘can do’ mentality that is so important to all achievers.”