Thirteen schools took part in the third Tyne and Wear Panathlon Swimming Competition at the Lakeside Centre in Newcastle on Tuesday, with 102 students involved across two age groups – under-12 and under-20.
In addition, 12 leaders from John Spence Community High School in North Shields officiated the competition both in and out of the water (see photo above left).
Claire Elliott, the Tyne and Wear School Games Co-ordinator, said: “It is great to see how this event has developed over the three years. The numbers have risen and we still have demand from schools wanting to take part in it.”
The U12 section was won by The Cedars Academy of Gateshead after a close contest against rivals Percy Hedley School from Newcastle.
Steve Middlemiss, Cedars Academy/Gateshead SSP Inclusive Sports Officer, said: “It’s great to have finally won one of these Panathlon swimming competitions. We have tried for three years and finally we have done it. It gets harder each year. It’s great to see so many schools participating and this is a real highlight on our calendar.”
A Cedars Academy pupil commented: “It’s great that we have defeated our arch rivals Percy Hedley to win this! I feel just brilliant.”
The U20 category was won by Sir Charles Parsons School of Newcastle, which was their second Panathlon success this year, as they were part of the winning team in the Tyne and Wear Multisport Final held in May.
Support has come from Tyne and Wear Sport, the Peter Harrison Foundation and the Garfield Weston Foundation
RESULTS
Under-12:
1 Cedars Academy 53 points
2 Percy Hedley 51
3 Benfield 34
4 Gibside 27
5 Benton Dene A 25
6 Benton Dene B 25
Under-20:
1 Sir Charles Parsons (pictured right) 74 points
2 Benfield 55
3 Cedars Academy 46
4 Southlands 44
5 Percey Hedley 43
6 Dryden 33
7 Durham Trinity 32
