CAERLEON Comprehensive sixth form student Mark Jones won the recent McCains British Athletics Cross Challenge in Cardiff.

The event takes in five key cross country fixtures across the UK throughout the autumn and winter season.

It was a fantastic achievement for 16-year-old rugby convert Jones, who was racing against established Welsh internationals and students up to two years older than himself.

After less than two years in the sport he is making excellent progress, which also includes a fourth position in the Under-20 Welsh Indoor Championships held at the National Indoor Athletics Centre (NIAC) at Cardiff Met University.

Other Caerleon students who represented South East Wales in the event included James O'Brian, Olivia Hiscott, Abbey Melhuish, Freya Williams, Molly Samuels, Aarun Jones, Isaac Thurgood, Sophie Smith, Jennis Robson and Nicole Pollock.

More students at the school are also set to feature in the upcoming Welsh Indoor Championships.

It has been yet another busy and successful start to the academic year for Caerleon students. Highlights include the school hosting Australia Schools under-18 national rugby union team, who played a Wales under-18s side featuring ex-Caerleaon student and Newport Gwent Dragons centre Tyler Morgan.

There was also success for the school at the Welsh Rowing Championships with several podium finishes including a gold medal for Charlotte Mitchell.

The school's girls football team represented Newport Schools in the South West Regions five-a-side tournament and the gymnastic teams are through to the regional finals.