SALENDINE Nook’s Shannon Sweeney is fast becoming a fencing champion of the future.
The teenager, who competes for Huddersfield’s Mary Hawdon Fencing Club, finished seventh in the National English Girls Under 16 epee final, from a field of 30 competitors.
Having first tried the sport around two years ago out of curiosity, 15-year-old Sweeney’s potential was plain to see as she finished third in her first ever competition.
The Salendine Nook High School student first attended the club with two friends on an open day and has since developed her undoubted potential.
Sweeney is already showing her ability in competitions.
Along with finishing seventh in a recent National Girls competition, she can also boast a Leon Paul tournament win, a place in the top 30 of the British Youth Championships and regular open success against older competitors.
The youngster is currently ranked within the top 30 for her age, and with an automatic entry into next year’s National English Girls event, will be looking to continue her climb up the fencing ladder.
The Mary Hawdon club is always looking for new members, and anyone interested in following in Sweeney’s footsteps, training is on Thursdays at Royds Hall High School (7.30pm to 8.30pm juniors and 8.30pm to 10pm adults).
