A new dawn has arrived this year for schools athletics in Comet country. The first senior athletics championships (Years 11, 12 and 13) took place in April, while a new format for the junior championships (Years Seven-10) came in last Wednesday at Ridlin

A new dawn has arrived this year for schools' athletics in Comet country.

The first senior athletics championships (Years 11, 12 and 13) took place in April, while a new format for the junior championships (Years Seven-10) came in last Wednesday at Ridlins.

The two North Herts Schools' Athletics Championships were extremely successful with outstanding performances across all the schools.

More than 1,000 athletes took part in a well organised event for the younger ones thanks to the organising committee, teachers and helpers.

The overall 'Grand Prix' title for best co-educational school went to Greneway/Meridian with St Francis' College winning the small schools' cup.

Frances Maydom from Hitchin Girls' School won The Comet Cup for the best overall performance.

She was a double winner including setting a new championship best.

Grand Prix: 1 Greneway/Meridian 1114pts, 2 Knights Templar 1093, 3 Fearnhill 940.

Small schools' cup (schools with fewer than 400 children): 1 St Francis' College 500pts, 2 Princess Helena 360, 3 St Christopher 279.

Year team results

Year Seven girls: 1 Hitchin GS 144pts, 2 Greneway 140, 3 Marriotts 130.

Year Seven boys: 1 Hitchin BS 165pts, 2 Greneway 139, 3 Knights Templar 136.

Year Seven combined: 1 Greneway 273pts, 2 Knights Templar 256, 3 Marriotts 241.

Year Eight girls: 1 Hitchin GS 161 pts, 2 Highfield 158, 3 St Francis' College 126.

Year Eight boys: 1 Hitchin BS 200pts, 2 Fearnhill 171, 3 Greneway 170,

Year Eight combined: 1 Fearnhill 290pts, 2 Highfield 277, 3 Knights Templar 267.

Year Nine girls: 1 St Francis' College 150pts, 2 Princess Helena 149, 3 Hitchin GS 144.

Year Nine boys: 1 Hitchin BS 187pts, 2 Knights Templar 162, 3 Greneway/Meridian 150.

Year Nine combined: 1 Greneway/Meridian 267pts, 2 Knights Templar, Nobel 243, 4 Fearnhill.

Year 10 girls: 1 Hitchin GS 167pts, 2 Knights Templar 160, 3 Meridian/Greneway 153.

Year 10 boys: 1 Knights Templar 163pts, 2 Hitchin BS 157, 3 John Henry Newman 150.

Year 10 combined: 1 Knights Templar 327pts, 2 Meridian/Greneway 301, 3 John Henry Newman 281.