JERSEY now has two gold medal-winning discus throwers at national level.

As reported yesterday, Jamie Stevenson won gold in the U15 boys event – and he was later joined by fellow Spartan Lauren Thérin (18) who threw 41.07 to clinch her second English Schools title – she won the javelin when she was a 13-year-old Grainville pupil.

Haute Vallée School pupil Stevenson (14) told his mum and dad before he left for the championships in Gateshead that he would bring home a medal this time.

Said his proud father, Rob: ‘He finished sixth in last year’s championship and wanted so badly to get a medal this time.

I don’t think he’s taken it in what he has achieved.

‘He’s really pleased with himself but I’m sure he doen’t realise the full implications of what he’s done.

Actually I’m not sure his mum and I quite realise either! But we’re really pleased, he’s worked so hard for this.’ Jamie’s medal-winning throw was 42.73 metres, a distance which smashed his own personal best of 41.82 and has provided Jersey with its first national champion in the boys under-15 age-group.

John Hillier, who has been coaching Stevenson just recently, was absolutely thrilled when he heard the news – he was absent as some of his other athletes are in this weekend’s Olympic trials.

He said that he knew when he first met Stevenson that he would be able to ‘throw out of sight.’ ‘He’s such a big lad, and he throws so well.

He is already physically big enough to throw the heavier weight and he’ll be even better when he moves to the heavier implements in the next age-group.’ ‘I’m really chuffed for him, so pleased,’ the UK-based former Olympic thrower said.

‘He’s my fourth winner today and Lauren Thérin is my fifth.’ He said that Thérin’s feat of national golds in two disciplines is unique: ‘She was national schools champion in the javelin when she was 13.’ Stephenson has been coached for the past few years by Spartan coaches Carole Derrien and Catarina Hallden.

Therin was thrilled and ‘very, very happy’ with her second title, despite being a little disappointed with her winning distance – some three metres outside her personal best.

She said: ‘It rained a lot and the circle was covered with water so the conditions were bad for throwing, but it’s great to win again.’ That was a sentiment echoed by father Ken: ‘I’m very please for her.

She’s been struggling a bit recently with her throwing because of all her exams and all.’ Among Hillier’s other protegés, Thérin is throwing for Somerset this time as a pupil at Millfield School, while Rebecca Duquemin and Becky Slater are members of the CI team.

They throw in the discus and javelin, respectively, today.

‘I’m really pleased with the way the kids have been working, and I’d certainly expect them to do well.

Becky (Slater) should be in the top three in javelin.’ Jersey’s athletics development officer Andrew Winnie, who is with the CI team, was certainly pleased with the day’s efforts, which also featured Stephen Prosser qualifying for today’s 100m semi-finals.

Sophie Twinam and Guernsey’s Erica Bodman bowed out of the high jump, while Gemma Dawkins did likewise in the 200m.

Guernsey’s big hope for a gold, sprint hurdler Kylie Robilliard, crashed out when leading her heat, after hitting the final hurdle.

Paul Dingle missed out on the trip with a knee injury, while Island record holder Stephen Phelan goes in the high jump later today.