Park House pupil jumps to success

Alexandre Craninx jumped 2.02m to become the under 17 national champion in the intermediate boys high jump

A PARK House School pupil has scaled the heights to become a national champion in the English Schools Athletics Championships.

Year 11 pupil Alexandre Craninx achieved a personal best of 2.02m in the intermediate boys (Under 17) high jump to win the recent competition at Gateshead, which will now see him go on to represent England in the Home Countries Schools International Track and Field match at Cardiff later this month.

Craninx, who has been studying for his GCSEs this year, said he was “over the moon” at his achievement.

He said: "I am very happy with how the competition turned out, I didn't expect to achieve a gold and a new PB, which is the best way it could have gone.

"I look forward to the international english schools competition in two weeks in Cardiff.

"The overall experience was great, everybody there competing were exceptional in their events."

Head of physical education at the Andover Road secondary school, Richard Jones, said the school was also very proud of him.

He said: “This couldn't happen to a nicer boy.

“He is very humble and unassuming and that is a credit to him.

“It is a tremendous achievement and we are very proud of him.”

Mr Jones added that the 16-year-old would now look to target getting a place at the World Youth Games in 2013 .