St Margaret Ward student on track for Olympic Games after winning highly-acclaimed athletics competition

St Margaret Ward Catholic Academy student, Lino Goodwin brought home gold after competing in the Mason Trophy Athletics competition at Northwood Stadium on Saturday 16 June.

Lino won the 300m track and field race beating the best athletes from ten counties from the midlands and northwest.

The Mason Trophy Athletics is a sporting highlight in the UK’s school calendar and often features some of the best up-and-coming athletic talent in England. Many of Stoke’s famous GB internationals have competed in The Mason Trophy before going on to represent the country in athletics including Jazmine Sawyers, Ashleigh Nelson, Ben Willians and Seamus Derbyshire.

Year 9 student Lino won the race in 37.07 seconds with Northampton School for Boys competitor coming in behind at 37.32 seconds and third place going to Rugby School’s racer at 37.94. The record for the 300m track and field event is 36.17.

Lino said: “I’m over the moon with the win and my time. Thank you to my teachers at St Margaret Ward for the support. I love athletics and I’m looking forward to the next competition now.”

Principal at St Margaret Ward Catholic Academy, Dominic McKenna, said: “We’re thrilled with Lino’s achievement this weekend! We knew he’d do well, as he’s excellent at athletics.

“We’re so excited to see where Lino’s future takes him, but we have a strong feeling he will be incredibly successful! He is following in some excellent footsteps. The Mason Trophy competition is well known for highlighting sporting stars who have gone on to compete in world competitions including the Olympic Games. So, well done Lino, from everyone here at St Margaret Ward.”

Lino began running when he was a student at St George & St Martin Catholic Academy, winning school competitions and joined Stoke AC in 2019 where he tried a variety of different distances and events.

Lino’s dad, Dominic Goodwin said: “His current focus is 300m but thanks to his coaches he’s able to compete in many different events. He’s a natural sportsman, super competitive in anything he tries, whether it’s athletics, football, volleyball, basketball or even dominoes. You name it, he wants to win!”