Holy Cross is a Catholic High School established by the Catholic Community of the Chorley Deanery.
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Here at Holy Cross we have an extensive curriculum which is built around key stage 3 and key stage 4.
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3 February 2015
Holy Cross Catholic High School student, Jacob, is hoping to emulate his heroes, the Brownlee brothers.
Jonathan and Alistair Brownlee have made the triathlon a popular sport thanks to their Olympic, Commonwealth and World successes.
And athletes like Jacob, 12, are now trying to follow in their footsteps with the swim, cycling and running event increasingly one to have a go at.
Year Eight student Jacob is a member of Chorley Tri and Athletics Club and is hoping this is a big year for him as he looks to make an impression in the three-sport event – as well as the Biathlon, which is running and swimming.
“I have been swimming for as long as I can remember and used to swim for Leyland Barracudas. I was selected for the North Lancashire squad on several occasions,” said Jacob, who lives in Whittle-le-Woods.
“I began running after my brother joined Chorley and I went to have a go and liked it and I have recently stepped up my cycling as my dad and step-dad are both into cycling so I go with them.”
The Tri part of the Chorley club is a recent development but Jacob has embraced it. In his first year at the sport last year, at Under 13 level, Jacob finished ninth in the North-West Tri Series and now he is looking to get into the top five.
He has also competed in Biathlons – running and swimming – where, in 2013 in the National School Biathlon Championships in Birmingham, Jacob came 15th.
More importantly though, Jacob was the 12th best biathlete in his age group nationally and is looking to make an impression in the National School Biathlon Championships in April 2015 to increase his ranking.
“This year I want to keep improving. My swimming and cycling are strong, I used to swim around 16 hours a week but I have cut that back and I cycle for around 90 minutes every week.
“I just need to get better at running but I train with Chorley Tri and Athletics Club two or three times a week so hopefully I will improve, that’s my main weakness at the moment.
“As well as the Brownlee brothers, my other hero is Joe Duckworth, who is a triathlete from Chorley who has represented Great Britain in Iron man competitions all over the world. He is someone to inspire all the youngsters at Chorley Tri and Athletics Club.”
Holy Cross Deputy Headteacher Alison Rigby said: “I nominated Jacob for the Chorley Rising Star awards this year as he is an inspiration.
“He has had to overcome barriers to help him succeed as he has dyslexia and isn’t the best at organisation but he is extremely dedicated, training 16 hours a week, and uses sport as his release.
“He may get frustrated at the written word but shines when it comes to physical performance and competition. He is on our Sports Council and is an excellent role model. 2015 is a big year for him.”
