The class of Stephen Simmons in Removes Form, once again shone through when he came third overall in the Octathlon in the Anglian Regional Final of the English Schools Combined Event Championships on 23 and 24 June.
Not only did Stephen achieve personal best scores in five out of his eight disciplines, but he also recorded 13.8 seconds in the 100 meter hurdles to break the school record by an impressive 0.4 seconds that had stood since 1979.
Stephen started his eight-event Octathlon, as he meant to carry on, with a big personal best of 6.44 metres in the long jump. He followed with a below par discus of 27.17 meters, but hauled himself up into first place with an excellent javelin personal best of 35.49 meters. He finished day one with another personal best of 54.6 seconds in the 400 meters which left him holding third place. The next morning, he opened with another personal best of 13.8 seconds in his strongest event; the 100 meter hurdles. This followed with a 1.67 meter high jump, a personal best of 10.91 meters in shot, and 5 minutes 18. 7 seconds in the 1500 meters. His score of 4392 points ensured he maintained third place by a healthy margin and a coveted place in the National Final to be held at Bedford in September.