Nine DAC athletes qualify for English Schools

Nine Derby Athletic Club athletes are delighted to have been selected to compete at the English Schools Championships this month.
The event, to be held at Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium, aims to bring together the best young athletes from each county to compete.
Athletes are chosen based on performances through the season, including at the Derbyshire County Championships.
The nine selected from Derby are:
Hannah Barnden, senior girls javelin
Sarah Bourne, junior girls 1500m
Alice Crane, senior girls 3000m
Valentina Costa, inter girls 800m
Molly Hudson, senior girls 1500m
Patricija Nemanyte, junior girls shot
Corey Rose, junior boys 1500m
Ben Stevenson, junior boys 800m
Shay Tarbit, inter boys discus.
Of the group, Sarah, Alice, Corey, Ben and Patricija are making their debuts in this competition, though Patricija competed in the English Schools multi-event in September last year.
Those finishing first or second in their English Schools event are selected for the international meeting, competing against Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
DAC coach Paul Martin, who trains several of the athletes in the group, said: “The standard is so high, this really is an elite competition with the chance for our athletes to compete against some if the best in the country.”
It will also be the final chance to compete at the Alexander Stadium, as it is due to be demolished in 2020 to make way for the new stadium for the 2022 Commonwealth Games.