Lakes College student Jade Miller performed strongly in the hammer event at the ESAA National Track and Field Championship at Gateshead Stadium recently.

The public services student, of Cockermouth, is the county champion and was representing Cumbria in the U20 section at the English Schools’ Athletic Association event in the North East.

Unfortunately Jade didn’t place in the senior girls hammer category, however, she still came second in the North West and 14th in the whole of the country.

Jade is part of the Cumbria Schools Athletics Association where she has had the opportunity to train with Commonwealth silver medallist Nick Miller and Olympic hammer thrower Sophie Hitchon.

After doing athletics at school three years ago she discovered a natural talent for hammer throwing and is now part of the college athletics team.

She was the only college student representing Cumbria in the competition.

The championships are the fourth largest schools athletics event in the world.

Organised entirely by volunteer teachers, they bring together the best athletes in each county to compete for the honour of being the best athlete in the country at their event.