Hannah and Sophie Tarver hope for Cross Country treble

Dec 2 2009 by Our Correspondent, Birkenhead News

Sisters chase treble

AT Wavertree Mystery on December 12, sisters Hannah (16) and Sophie (11) Tarver will be hoping to complete a rare double-treble!

The Wirral Grammar School athletes have already chalked up victories in their respective age groups in the two opening rounds of the Merseyside Schools Cross Country League.

The girls are now aiming to go one step further and achieve this very unusual dual hat-trick.

“I am sure they have the talent to do it,” said their veteran Wirral AC coach Dave Jess.

“They have also done everything I have asked of them in training, in fact Hannah is the best trainer I have ever come across in athletics.”

The older of the Thingwall-based siblings has had a magnificent year both on the cross-country course and on the track.

During this time she has seen her hard work reduce her 1500m personal best time by almost 30 seconds, from 5:06 to 4:37.

Her back catalogue of wins and impressive performances also reflects her dedication.

In the North West Road Relay she had the fastest time of 10:05 for 3000m.

She is the Merseyside Schools’ AAA and North of England 1500 champion. In the English AAA 1500 final she was runner-up.

In addition, Hannah is a more than useful 800m performer, producing 2:14.6 to finish second in the Young Athletes’ League and she finished runner-up in the Inter-County Cross-Country Cup.

Continued her coach: “Hannah also reached the final of the 1500m at the English Schools’ championship where she finished ninth.

“This was a very promising result as she was at least 12 months younger than most of the other competitors in the race.”

In contrast to her older sister, who is well established on the youth athletic circuit, Sophie is very much at the start of her athletics career.

The youngster enjoyed a phenomenally-successful time when running for Thingwall Primary School, where she remained undefeated for almost two years, picking up a host of medals.

ŠSince moving to secondary school, she remains in the good prospect category, there being little in the way of competition until now to judge her progress.

Although, she did run an impressive 800m in 2:35.6 at Preston in the Young Athletes’ League.

Middle sister Amy (14) is also a member of Wirral AC, although not noted for her running.

She is a more than useful high jumper with a personal best of 1.65m, which was achieved, also in the Young Athletes’ League in Derby back in the summer.