APS Pair in National Championships - June 2011

A powerful pair of Altrincham Preparatory School athletes have been training side by side as they prepare for The Independent Association of Preparatory Schools national athletics championships.

Since winning the North-West regional event, high jumper Alex, aged 11 has joined Altrincham and District athletics club to hone his skills for the national challenge in Birmingham next week.

He has been working with 800 metre runner Ollie, also 11 who has been running sprint, middle and long distance events at the Altrincham and District club athlete for three years.

APS Head of Sport Nigel Birch said: "It's a wonderful achievement to make the final and to have two young athletes representing the North-West in Birmingham is a genuine coup. I am particularly pleased by the way they have supported and encouraged each other."

Both boys cite Usain Bolt as their favourite athlete and both boys would ideally like a berth in the 2024 Olympics, but added intelligently "Let's see how well we do next week first."