After getting through the regional qualifiers in Stoke against strong schools from the North and Midlands, the Friary School skiing team headed off to the English School Ski Championships last weekend in Norwich.
It was always going to be an uphill struggle as, due to the split of ages the team is made up, they were in the Under-19 category, even though the youngest member, Finn Pike, has only joined Year 7 this school year.
However, despite this challenge the boys ending up coming 6th out of the 10 Under-19 teams competing and also beat numerous other male/female teams in the Under-16 category too (the category that 3 of the team should have been competing in).
Furthermore, three of the team, also competed in the British School Ski Championship Qualifying Race yesterday, though it looks like the boys will miss out on qualification as not all 3 finished both runs.
The team, comprising of Noah Bailey, Reece Pike, Campbell Rowe and Finn Pike, have only been training together since mid September.
Mr Pike, Ski Team Manager, said: “The boys have done themselves, their family and The Friary proud.”
Jamie Sleigh, PE teacher and Co-Ordinator of our Elite Performers Scheme, added: “The ski team is part of us looking to support children with as any many new experiences as possible so if it is an extra skier, an equestrian, a martial arts talent, or whatever, if we can help then we will.”
