Ringing in the new term, Charterhouse Preparatory held their 2022 inter-house athletics on July 23.
Three houses, named after south-western English counties, did battle over a 70-event programme for classroom bragging rights. Busy-legged runners, broad-shouldered shot-putters and leaping high-jumpers from Somerset, Devon and Cornwall pushed their limits for the delighted trackside parents.
Charterhouse Preparatory Principal, Desmond Zeelie, basked in the outdoor celebration, saying “It is wonderful to have kids and parents back on the field; it is just amazing”. The first athletics event for several years, Principal Zeelie was pleased with the talent on show. “I have been pleasantly surprised but I see some deep breaths being taken,” joked the principal, noting how some athletes had been working hard during the holidays.
Setting herself as one of the benchmarks of Charterhouse excellence, a new name was entered into the record books. Tofunmi Somorin is the new U/10 Girls 80m record holder with a time of 11.59 seconds, displacing Ashley Branford’s previous record of 12:09. As for team honours, Somerset Dragons soared highest as they were the best-performing house overall, with Devon Saints and Cornwall Pirates sharing the Spirit Trophy.
After the starting gun went silent and the dust had settled on the track, the best athletes across all houses were recognised. Ethan Muyendesi was awarded Junior Victor Ludorum while Somorin rounded off a special day receiving the Junior Victrix Ludorum title. Vhukudo Rawasha was named the Senior Victrix Ludorum while Jayden Peta, who triumphed in an engrossing U/13 boys high-jump duel, was crowned Senior Victor Ludorum.
Reflecting on a superb day, Principal Zeelie said, “It has all gone smoothly. It was a nice tight programme that catered for everybody. To the boys and girls, there has been fantastic enthusiasm, a great effort with lots of perseverance that has made the day awesome. A big thank you to our staff for making it happen and to our parents for their support. It has been wonderful.”
