English Schools Combined Events Championships 2021

23 September 2021

The English Schools Combined Events Championships took place in Bedford with athletes from counties all across the country competing for the top honours. Multi-events are tough enough at the best of times but Florence Hampton had the added obstacle of a heavy cold to contend with. Despite this Hampton was determined to make the most of the opportunity and headed into the competition with a positive attitude and strong focus. Beginning the weekend with the 75m hurdles Hampton ran a solid 12.40. Event 2, the shot put saw Hampton produce her 2nd farthest throw ever and longest ever within a multi-event competition, 9.55. The throw saw Hampton move from 22nd up the 14th. Next came the high jump, Hamptons stand out event of the day, due to a huge 12cm PB. Hampton cleared 1.53 and moved herself into 10th overall. Hampton took the momentum into the long jump where she jumped just 5cm less than her PB, 4.60, to keep herself in the top 15 with one event remaining. The 800m is always going to be tough but Hampton took it in her stride running 2:44.23, less than 2seconds slower than her PB. Hampton ended the day in a phenomenal 13th place with a score of 2764 breaking her own club record set earlier this season, and as previously mentioned, this was all achieved whilst Hampton was dealing with being unwell. An incredible and well deserved performance. 

(Photo: Gloucestershire Schools Team Manager Andy Beadle with Florence Hampton)

There was also a brilliant heptathlon for Jodie Burnett-Hockey in the senior girls competition. The day began with the 100m hurdles, a tough event for Burnett-Hockey whose last heptathlon, and only over 100m hurdles race, ended before it started with disqualification. However, Burnett-Hockey handled the nerves and left the past in the past running a fantastic 18.30 to show just what she is capable of. Leaving the nerves behind her Burnett-Hockey was ready for the rest of the day and soared to her best high jump since 2019, 1.44. Burnett-Hockey then produced her 2nd best shot put ever, 6.68 and ran 29.14 in the 200m. Burnett-Hockey ended a brilliant day one in 32nd place. Burnett-Hockey made the perfect start to day 2 with a 9cm long jump PB of 4.53 and then added close to a metre to her javelin PB with a throw of 26.08. Burnett-Hockey ended her competition with an 800m SB of 2:51.59 and wrapped up a successful weekend. Overall Burnett-Hockey scored 3158 points adding close to 700 points to her PB and finishing 31st overall.