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Sports News
Swimming for Sweden
After swimming since the age of seven, Northampton Academy
Year 12 Sixth Form student Marcus Johnson revealed how he
eyes up the prospect of being an Olympian!
Marcus holds his family accountable for his fervour of
swimming. His older sister began paddling in the pools
at seven years old and he soon followed in her footsteps.
Subsequently, he developed a passion for the water and his
frame became a frequent figure in the waves of his local pool.
Before his age reached double-figures, Marcus was already
winning prestigious competitions. He represented Northampton
at the County Championships and left the poolside with the
paramount prize.
He progressed as a swimmer, moving up the squads in his club
from Silver to Gold and even Olympic. At 15, he joined the City
of Milton Keynes Swimming Club. This developed his talent
further, making him a swimmer of national-standard. He now
competes in a variety of events, including the 4x200m relay,
400m and 1500m.
Humble Marcus is now an incredibly established and valued
member of the CMK swimming team. His name regularly
appears on the CMK club website, with recent published
credits including the ASA English Summer Championships and
the Luton Fast and Furious end of season meet. In the latter,
he won gold in the 100m backstroke and freestyle events, and
silver in the 50m versions of the same two strokes.
However, this success doesn’t appear from thin air, being a
competitive swimmer takes time and money. Marcus trains
nine times a week, with each training session lasting for
around two hours. This is a difficult to feat whilst balancing
A-levels. In addition, he would spend £200 on a pair of
swimming trunks, and £40 on racing goggles! That is around
eight times more than what a lot of us would pay.
In simple terms, the time and effort is worth it. He aspires to
stand on the starting blocks for Sweden in the Tokyo 2020
Olympic Games. His dual nationality allows him to aim for
Sweden’s “slightly easier” qualifying times.
For those who have been inspired to take up serious swimming by
the Olympics, the Paralympics, or even by Marcus’s story, Marcus
says you must be prepared for lots of training and expenses.
So, remember the name: Marcus Johnson. You heard it here first.
We wish him all the best as he mounts his bid for Tokyo 2020.
By Matthew Bates
Battle of Academies
Match Report: Malcolm Arnold Academy vs Northampton Academy
On 2nd February, Northampton Academy’s Year 7 footballers travelled to Malcolm Arnold Academy to play
their first match of 2017.
After kick-off, the first ten minutes of the match were relatively even. Both teams had lots of corners but none of them were
converted into goals. However, it was Malcolm Arnold who broke the deadlock through a rapid counter attack. The Malcolm
Arnold defence cleared the ball from a corner up to an attacker who shot from the edge of the box. Unfortunately, the shot
deflected in off a defender for an own goal. It could have been a lot worse after that if it wasn’t for Sahil Karmardin, who
blocked a shot on the line! After that though, the flood gates opened. An inch-perfect cross was sent over the box to an
unmarked attacker who nodded the ball home.
The second half was dominated by the hosts and they scored a third and final goal towards the end. The goal was scrappy,
but a goal is a goal nevertheless.
Full time: Malcolm Arnold 3-0 Northampton Academy
Team Sheet:
Reece Dascombe, Callum Clark, Jimmy Wilson, Leo Bates, Ewan Hughes-Rowlands, Jahmia Shakespeare, Matthuius Savory,
Bernard Boyake, Sahil Karmardin, Ciaran Connors, Jacob Reeve.
Year 7 Netball win against The Duston School
The Year 7 netball team had their first match of the year kick off to a very positive start. The girls won their match 3-1 and played
superbly. The team was led by Amabel Ogunrinade who’s encouragement and leadership meant the team demonstrated excellent
precision with their passing and movement on the court. Cleo Kavanagh made her match debut as WD and played a vital role
in securing the win. The team consisted of Belinda Boakye, Erin Labban, Cleo Kavanagh, Amabel Ogunade, Dorcas Ogunsanya,
Chelsea Ojori, Emmanuella, Leah Williams. Congratulations girls!
By Miss Walker
