Historic national triumph for Perse orienteering team

Perse orienteers navigated their way to an historic team triumph at the British Schools Championships in Dartford.

The team of 26 students from Years 7 to Upper Sixth each set off individually on courses designed for their age group and gender. They only get to see the map with their route on it after they have crossed the start line. Competitors have to visit all the controls marked on their map in as little time as possible.

The annual championship has been run since 1987 and this is the first time The Perse has won the overall team competition, which is based on the placings of the top nine competitors in their individual sections.

There were five individual Gold medallists within the team. David (Upper Sixth) and Hebe (Lower Sixth) took gold in the Year 13 boys’ and Year 12 girls’ classes respectively. Emily was first in the Year 11 girls’ section, Alex took top spot in the Year 10 boys’ section and Erik won the Year 9 boys’ title.

Meanwhile, Silvers went to Lila and Amy in the respective Year 11 and Year 9 girls’ categories and Isabelle (Lower Sixth) and Tim (Year 8) were fourth and fifth respectively in their sections, with their results helping contribute to The Perse’s overall score.

In the team events, The Perse clinched Gold in the Year 11 girls’ section and Silvers in the Year 12 girls’ and Year 10 boys’ classes, while the Year 8 and Year 7 boys’ groups gained Bronze in their respective categories.

Team co-ordinator Camilla Darwin said: “The students had an enjoyable time and were in very good spirits throughout. Some of them both ran fast and navigated accurately to win on their courses, while others found the courses challenging but showed impressive determination to find all their controls successfully.”