Junior Academy Member Takes Gold
Newcastle Falcons junior academy member Joe Connelly had cause for celebration last week after taking gold at the Schools U16 International Pentathlon at the Indoor Emirates Arena, Glasgow.
A pupil of Austin Friars School, Joe is currently a member of the Falcons’ juniors academy while also representing Penrith RUFC at U16s level
Competing for team England along with Henry-James Cowie, William Adeyeye & Henry Thorneywork at the Pentathlon event, Joe won with a total point score of 3553, just 50 points short of the all-time best score.
Having come third overall in the 60m hurdles and second in the long jump, Joe won the 200m outright and threw an amazing 15.15m personal best in the fourth event of the day, the shot putt. Going into the final 800m race at the top of the competition leaderboard he triumphed once again, recording a new personal best and booking his gold medal.
But just one medal wasn’t enough for the Penruddock-born youngster, team England also winning the team event at the end of the day thanks in no small part to coach John Birkett.
