Athlete gathers some momentum
A BELTON youngster continues to come on in leaps and bounds as his fledgling athletics career gathers momentum.
Jack Gregory, 10, recently recorded a personal best of 21.1 seconds in the 150m, an achievement which shot him to the top of the UK under-11 rankings.
Another personal best of 11.3 seconds in the 80m has moved him up to second in this discipline and in the long jump the All Saints' Primary School pupil is rated as sixth in the country after his best-ever four-metre leap at the recent Cleethorpes Open.
And competing in Barnsley at the weekend Jack won all three events in which he took part - the long jump, 80 metres and 150 metres.
This all makes for a very proud father, Dean, who himself competed at national level for Rotherham Harriers Club.
He said: "He's running quickly and winning all his races but to hear of his rankings was a pleasant surprise. We have been going to meetings and he has won every one, six gold medals, so he is obviously doing really well."
And it is very much a 'family affair' as Jack's eight-year-old sister, Alicia, has also racked up some track and field achievements of her own, picking up a brace of silver medals in both the 80 and 150m events at last month's Humberside County Championships. She also competed at the Barnsley event, and was fifth in the final of the 80 metres. But Dean points out a lack of any sibling rivalry as the pair work well in tandem.
"They are really good together and encourage each other, which is nice, and they both enjoy it," he added.
Dean's wife, Gail, is another former Rotherham Harrier and he explained the family all root for the next generation of Gregory go-getters.
He said: "We always go along and watch them. I never got nervous at all when I was competing, however watching these two I do get a little nervous."
Both Jack and Alicia run for Scunthorpe and District Athletic Club and Dean paid tribute to coaches Gary and Debbie Spindley plus Ian Johns who have helped guide their children towards their sporting achievements.
"The kids really look up to them and this is what you need as a youngster, good mentors. I would like to thank them for their support and coaching, it has been invaluable," he added.
The sporting family is completed by a fifth member, four-year-old daughter Ava, who may not have to wait too long to make her mark.
Added Dean: "Ava is quick and she has got her first sports day coming up so we will see!"
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Weather for Epworth
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -3 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: -1 C to 1 C
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