Straight A's as Danielle passes tests

IT'S been an A-grade summer for Blackpool hurdler Danielle Bamber.
Not only did the Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde athlete win a bronze medal in the prestigious AAA National Championships at Sheffield - she went on to top her 'three As' feats with six As in her GCSEs.
Danielle, who had four A-stars among her top-grade passes, completed a successful athletics summer with third place in the under-17 300m hurdles at the Don Valley Stadium with a time of 45.29secs.
The 16-year-old from Newton Road has recorded consistent times throughout the summer, with further bronze medals in the English Schools championships and representing England against the best of Ireland, Scotland and Wales. In the latter event, Danielle also won team relay gold.
Danielle's return to her studies at Arnold School this week marks the end of her season ... but not the end of her training.
She will step up to 400m for the 2008 season, which requires plenty of hard work on the practice track.
Hockey will also help to keep Danielle fit - she has played for Lancashire and the North of England.
Cleared
While on England duty she roomed with fellow Arnold pupil Hannah Dickson, the Blackpool club's junior high jump champion who also claimed bronze in Sheffield.
Both have enjoyed highly successful summer seasons, which Hannah continued with another bronze, this time at the UK School Games in Coventry, where she cleared 1.68m.
Lytham-based Sophie Owen also represented Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde in Coventry, finishing fifth in the 300m in 40.79secs.
n At the Trafford Open Medals Meeting in Manchester, BW&F's Katy Wyper won three under-15 medals, including gold in the long jump with a leap of 5.04m.
Katy claimed sprint silver in both the 100m (12.9) and 200m ( 27.5).
And younger sister Holly completed a golden double for the Wypers by winning the under-13 discus with 12.8m.
The club's star performer, however, was Tash Gardner with her trio of under-11 golds.
Tash won the high jump (1.15m), 75m (10.9) and 150m (22.2).
Silver medals were won by Sophie Riley in the 150m (20.8) and Abby Bleasdale in the javelin (14.9).
Sophie also earned a bronze, in the 75m (10.6), as did Kassidy Knight in the javelin (13.86m) and Marie Andrews in the shot (6.45m).