WARRINGTON’S Priestley College celebrated its annual sports awards ceremony in the company of two special visitors – Britain’s most decorated Paralympian athlete Sarah Storey and her husband Barney.
Sarah, who has been awarded the OBE, amassed five gold, eight silver and three bronze medals as a swimmer over four Paralympic games and then switched to cycling where in won double gold at Beijing in 2008.
More recently she landed gold in cycling at this year’s Manchester World Cup in the able-bodied women’s team pursuit and has the real possibility of representing Team GB in both the Olympics and Paralympic Games in London next year.
Husband Barney, who has been awarded the MBE, landed double gold in Beijing as a sighted pilot in the tandem track cycling.
The college’s own sports personalities of the year were named as Tom Capper, formerly of Lysander High School and Meg Comerford, formerly of Penketh High School., who excelled both academically and in their chosen sports, being leading members of the Rugby and Netball Development Centres.
Other special prize winners included Jacob Spruce, community coach of the year and a range of trophies for students who have performed on an international stage.
These included Abi Fitzpatrick and James Gladman (GB Athletics), Shauna Coxsey (GB Climbing), Rachel Jefferson (England Fell Running), Lorna Eden (England Tae Kwon Do), Eliza Rice (Synchronised Swimming) and Ben Ecob (England Karate).
Curriculum manager Nige Howells said: “Sport Priestley is very proud of all the achievements of its students this year and having Sarah as our guest of honour was truly inspirational.
“I would like to thank both Sarah and Barney for making the day such a memorable one and wish all students the very best for their academic assessments and future careers.”
Pictured: Sarah and Barney Storey with the Priestley College Sports Personalities of the Year – Tom Capper and Meg Comerford.
