Jazmin Sawyers and Mica McNeil
By Patrick Wheeler: Teachers have heaped praised on Newcastle student Jazmin Sawyers after she scooped a Bobsleigh silver medal in the 2012 Youth Winter Olympics.
Jazmin, 17, was noticed in 2010 by talent spotters visiting Newcastle-under-Lyme School.
The heptathlete then began training for the Winter Youth Olympics’ two-woman bobsleigh event.
And the 17-year-old Millfield pupil crowned her rise to the top with a stunning silver medal alongside team-mate Mica McNeill.
Ian Cartwright, director of external relations at Newcastle-under-Lyme School, said: “There was no indication that Jazmin was going to be a bobsleigh medal winner.
“It was very much out of the blue, literally!”
Sitting in fourth after their first run, Jazmin and Mica set a blistering time of 55.66 seconds which separated the two Netherlands teams in gold and bronze.
Mr Cartwright added: “She is a very talented athlete and the school and all its pupils are very proud of her achievements.
“She will still be hoping to compete in the summer Olympics as a heptathlete.”
The race, for which she trained for 18 months, took place on January 22 and the deciding run was less than a minute long.
Jazmin splits her time between bobsleigh and heptathlon having also represented Team GB at the IAAF World Youth Championships in France last summer.
She has already won gold medals in long jump and 4x100m relay at the Youth Commonwealth Games in 2011.