Erica excels at national EFDS championships

A TEESDALE teenager returned from a national athletics event laden with gold and silver.

Erica Dixon, a member of Teesdale AC, picked up gold medals in 800m, 1,500m, high jump and as part of the 4x400m North East relay team in the English Federation of Disability Sports (EFDS) championships.

The 17-year-old, from Lartington, also bagged silver in the U18 200m and 4x100m relay.

This was the fifth time Ms Dixon had competed at the EFDS championships, but it was her most successful to date.

Her dad, Peter, said: “You are only allowed to enter four events and it was only once she was there that she knew she would be in the relay events as well.”

Ms Dixon, who has special education needs, secured her place in the North East team for the championships at a regional qualifying event at Gateshead Stadium.

More than 200 youngsters competed at the national championships, which were held at Warwick Athletics Stadium, Coventry.

Jannine Walker, national events manager for EFDS, said: “We hope all the young disabled people who took part continue to develop their talent, but most of all, continue to enjoy being active for life.”

Many elite disabled athletes began their own success at the annual event, including Hannah Cockroft, Hollie Arnold and Aled Davies.

Former paralympian Nathan Stephens, at this year’s championships as team manager for the Welsh region, impressed the crowds when he gave volunteers a masterclass in javelin throwing.

Ms Dixon, a former pupil at The Oaks School, Spennymoor, now combines attending a preparation for work course at Bishop Auckland College with volunteering at the Marie Curie shop, in Barnard Castle.

She can continue to compete at the EFDS championship until she is 20.

However, her dad said she has set her sights on stepping up in distance after completing Teesdale AC’s Santa run around the grounds of The Bowes Museum and Barnard Castle School last December.

“She says she wants to do more 5k and 10k events. She has tremendous stamina and excellent recovery.

“That really showed in the 4x400m relay when she had a lot of ground to make up.”