Following another excellent summer for Tamworth AC, we take a look at our athletes who have pulled on their national vests this year. First up is Jacob Spencer; a promising young sprinter who represented English Schools in July.

Jacob Spencer has only been competing in athletics for two years, but this year was crowned English Schools Champion for 200 metres; earning himself an England vest and the opportunity to compete in the Home Nations International at Swansea.

16-year-old Jacob has been competing for Tamworth AC in the Under-17 and Senior age groups.  He started the season carrying a couple of minor injuries but continued to train. Unfortunately Jacob was ruled out of the County Schools Championships, but he was still selected to represent Warwickshire at the Mason Trophy Inter Counties Schools’ Championships. In terrible conditions at the Alexander Stadium, venue for the 2022 Commonwealth Games, Jacob ran the 200 metres in a season best time of 22.55secs to take the gold medal.

Following this great performance, Jacob was then selected for the ESAA English Schools Championships, which saw him racing again at the iconic Alexander Stadium.  Jacob breezed through his 200m heat in 2^nd place with a time of 22.21secs.  In the semi-final, Jacob did enough to qualify for the final, taking 3^rd place with a time of 22.17secs.  Given an outside lane draw for the final allowed Jacob to focus on his own race.  With 100 metres to go he was a couple of metres behind in 4^th place, but giving his all, Jacob passed his competitors just before the line to take gold with a new personal best of 21.72secs.

Selection for SIAB Schools International in Swansea followed, with Jacob one of two athletes earning his England vest for the 200 metres. Jacob once again had an outer lane, but despite his best efforts, couldn’t quite repeat his finish line heroics, leaving his drive for the line just a little late and settling for silver.

Jacob added another gold medal to his collection at the Midlands County Championship at Nuneaton.  Once again in trademark fashion, he coasted through the heats and opened up over the second half of the final to take the win with 22.11secs.

Next up for Jacob is the English Championships at Bedford on Sunday 1^st September. Good Luck Jacob from all of us at Tamworth AC!

In next week’s international spotlight, we’ll be switching from youth to experience and looking ahead to the European Masters Athletics Championships; where Tamworth AC’s Adam Young and Ben Evans will be joining up with the British team in Venice.