Jessica Judd enjoys Cross Country success, with other Sky Scholars experiencing mixed fortune
Sunday 5 March 2017 14:38, UK
Jessica Judd was one of four Sky Scholars in action at the weekend and she did not let anyone down after carrying home a monumental piece of silverware for her efforts.
The 22-year-old from Essex is a 1500m runner by trade and has impressed on the cross country circuit throughout the winter, but few would have expected her to finish top spot on Saturday in Nottingham.
Judd, trained by her father again, won the 8km senior women's race at Wollaton Park in the Saucony English National Cross Country Championships with the Loughborough student clocking 29 mins 7 secs ahead of Louise Small.
"I cannot believe what just happened," she said. "Thanks to my dad for never giving up on me and coaching me to this, I appreciate it so much!
"Also thanks to my sister for hearing me complain week after week and just putting up with me! Makes all the hard work worthwhile."
Another Sky Academy Sports Scholar to enjoy success was gymnast Sam Oldham, who was competing for a team called Clamart based in Paris against Lille.
The Nottingham-based star performed on the Pommel Horse, Vault and Horizontal Bar to help them win the semi-final of the French Team championships and will now face Antibes in the final in two weeks.
Oldham said: "I did well on each event putting out my new routines and it was a great way to kick off the 2017 competition season."
The 24-year-old from Nottingham is desperate to shine this season having missed out on Olympic selection last summer. He is heading to the United States with the GB Men's squad to compete on Saturday in the American Cup.
"I'm very excited to get back out in the international stage," he added.
Road cyclist Lucy Garner did not have luck on her side in her opening event of the campaign - Omloop Het Nieuwsblad - a one-day race in Belgium.
The 22-year-old from Leicester, starting her fifth season as a professional and her second with Wiggle-High5, said: "It's always a tough race the first race of the season but I felt confident.
"We had a strong team and my goal was to position the leading girls into the climbs. I felt good and was positioned well for the first 50km. Just before the climbs I realised I had a flat but I tried to get over the first climb. It wasn't easy!
"I waited for the car which was was positioned 23 in the convoy so it took a while to change my wheel. It was pretty much game over and my sports director told me to stop. I'm disappointed about the puncture but happy with how my legs felt and how I rode with the team."
BMX rider Quillan Isidore was in Florida at the weekend for the Gator Nationals Super Cross Series in Oldsmar.
The 20-year-old from London will have gained some great experience from the notoriously tricky circuit having bounced back brilliantly to make the final after falling on day two.
Isidore admitted he had been "very sore" after his crash but on making it to the final day he said: "I made my first world class level final which I'm thrilled my hard work is starting to pay off.
"It's a great confidence booster and a great way to start the year!"
You have until March 26 to get your application if you want to be considered to be one of our new Sky Scholars.
WHAT'S COMING UP FOR OUR SCHOLARS
MARCH 4: Sam Oldham, American Cup in New Jersey, USA
MARCH 10-12: Elise Christie, World Championships in Rotterdam
