Collecting a silver medal in an international schools athletics match was just one in a line of outstanding achievements by the July winner of the Wallasey News Sports Personality of the Month competition - 15-year-old Janet McGee.
Janet, of Northcote Road, Wallasey, won the medal after finishing second in the 800 metres final of the European Catholic Schools International Games in Milan. She crossed the finishing line in a personal best time of two minutes 16 seconds.
For Janet, receiving our handsome trophy (above) is a reward for three years of hard training.
A member of Wallasey Athletics Club, she can often be found pounding away the miles along New Brighton beach or at running tracks throughout Wirral and as far away as Kirkby, Liverpool.
She is taking advantage of her time off from lessons at St. Mary's College, Wallasey, during the summer to add even more training to the 10 or 12 hours she sweats out each week already.
She has her eyes set on Los Angeles and the 1984 Olympics, Where she would like to emulate the achievements of her hero, Sebastian Coe. But, for now, she is hoping to be selected for Merseyside in the Northern Counties Cross-country Championship, in September, as she was last year.
Already, the sideboard at her home is cluttered with trophies. Her tally of successes in three years of serious competition is impressive.
She hat been the Wirral Schools Cross-Country and 800 metres champion for the last three years. She has been the Merseyside Women's AAA champion at 800 metres for the last two years and has represented Merseyside and her country all over Europe.
Janet is quick to praise the work of friends-and relatives which has helped her on the running track.
Staff and pupils at St. Mary's College held a sponsored walk which raised the cash for her trip to Milan and her brother, Kevin, 19, who can run a mile in under four minutes, is always on hand to encourage her.
We are now looking for the August Sports Personality of the Month, You do not need to have been as successful as Janet to qualify. Any outstanding or unusual feat in any sport could earn you our engraved trophy.
If you know of anyone who you think deserves this award, why not nominate them? The August winner might be a school pupil who has achieved triumph in his or her sport on top of completing school exams. Or it might be a pensioner whose enthusiasm on the bowls green never wants.
Nominations most be signed by at least two officials of the nominee's club or group and must state why be or she is being nominated.
Entries should reach the Sports Editor, Wallasey News, 32 Seaview Road, Wallasey, by August 23 at the latest.
Good luck!
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 09/08/1980
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