Silver medal for Stacey
Last updated 11:08, Friday, 18 July 2008
PRUDHOE High School’s Stacey Smith has picked up a silver medal at the English Schools athletics championship.
She finished second in the 800 metres at Gateshead Stadium to complete a major success story.
For the 18-year-old almost dropped out of the sport after enjoying great success as a youngster.
She was persuaded to stick at it after being selected for special coaching with double Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes.
She was part of the ‘On Camp with Kelly’ initiative, where Dame Kelly mentored talented young middle distance athletes.
Stacey, who won a silver medal in the Intermediate 800m in 2006 when the championships were last held in Gateshead, was part of an ‘On Camp with Kelly’ 1-2-3 in the event.
Stacey finished in 2:09.86 , just behind Norfolk’s Rachel Stringer who clocked 2:08.75.
In her heat on Friday Stacey ensured her qualification for the final by finishing second in 2:10.59.
Dame Kelly said: “It was great to see so many ‘On Camp with Kelly’ athletes performing well at the English Schools Championships.
“ I would like to congratulate Stacey on her performance as winning any medal is a great achievement in what is a very competitive event.”
