National Schools Biathlon Championships

Thirty-seven Taunton Prep School students qualified for the 2023 event in Redditch last weekend – amongst the highest number of pupils entered by any school in the UK.

Both Under-9 and Under-10 boys along with the Under-9 girls were crowned winners in the team events while three pupils picked up national titles in the individual competitions: Bella O’Dell-Notaro and Harry Freeman in the in the Under-9s, and JJ Wells in the Under-11 event. James Freeman came third place in the Under-11 event.

“This was an amazing experience for everyone who took part,” said Shaun Winsor, Head of Prep School Sport. “There were more than 1200 athletes competing in this national event and we picked up six awards. I am so proud of our students and what they managed to achieve.”

The 2023 British Schools Modern Biathlon Championships were held at The Abbey Stadium in Redditch – the first time the flagship event has been staged there.

The competition featured a separate swim and run with athletes competing in their school year group having qualified at a regional or local event during the autumn and winter months. This year a total of 280 schools from across the nation were represented at the Championships.

“It was great to see so many pupils participating, it reflects the passion that TPS pupils have for sport” said Mr Winsor. “To come away with so many National winners is testament to the levels of effort the pupils put into their sport over the year. For those that didn’t medal this year they can still feel proud to have qualified and have something to aim for next time.”

See the full results here:

U9 Girls Team – 1^st Place National Winners

Bella O’Dell-Notaro (1^st)

Erin Walters (9^th)

Cate Pettifer (25^th)

U9 Boys – 4^th place

Harry Freeman (1^st)

Rocco Notaro (33^rd)

Archie Taswell (46^th)

U10 Boys – 1^st Place National Winners

Oscar Sanderson (11^th)

Cameron White (12^th)

Rohan Cubitt (18^th)

U11 Boys – 1^st Place National Winners

JJ Wells (1^st)

James Freeman (3^rd)

Lewis Walters (6^th)

Individual Results

U9 Girls – Bella O’Dell-Notaro – National 1^st Place

U9 Boys – Harry Freeman – National 1^st Place

U11 Boys – JJ Wells National 1^st Place

Other Results:

Auguste Goupil-Hauguel (28^th)

Alba Macey – 45^th

Olivia Brackstone – 13^th

Elle Perry 55th

George Kershaw (23^rd)

William South (42^nd)

Faye Bird (41^st)

Holly Beattie (69^th)

Ben South (55^th)