IT was a weekend of glory for south Essex athletes at the UK School Games.

Four teenagers – Jessica Judd, Hayley McLean, Poppy Lake and Kaylee Dodd – all won gold medals at the under-17 event in Sheffield.

While Sophie Riches claimed a silver medal and Danny Wilson a bronze.

Judd’s victory in the 1,500m capped an incredible season for the 16-year-old.

She has now completed a hat-trick of domestic 1,500m titles – the English Schools, English AAAs and the UK School Games – as well as winning a bronze medal over 800m at the World Youth Championships.

“I can’t quite believe it, everything has gone so well,” said Judd, from Canvey, who won the race in a swift 4m 18.18s.

“I was really happy with my performance. I didn’t expect to run that quick as conditions weren’t ideal.

“It’s the last time I can compete at the UK School Games as I’ll be too old next year and I’m really going to miss them.”

That was a sentiment echoed by McLean, who was also competing at the championships for a second and final year.

Indeed, it wasn’t just the final time at the championships for McLean, it was also the 16-year-old’s last ever race over the 300m hurdles.

And she made sure she finished in style by winning in 42.95s, a long way clear of the second-placed athlete.

“I was in lane seven and I couldn’t really see anyone else,” said McLean, from Stanford-le-Hope.

“So it was a bit of a shock to be that far in front down the home straight. I really didn’t expect it, especially at this stage of the season.”

It’s a busy time for McLean, who leaves today to compete for England at the Commonwealth Youth Games on the Isle of Mann over the 400m hurdles.

“I’ve pretty much had a day of rest and now I’m off again,” McLean said.

For 15-year-old Dodd, her victory in the 800m came as a pleasant surprise.

The Wickford teenager, who runs for Basildon AC, won after an exciting finish which saw her beat Scottish athlete Olivia O’Hare by a mere eight-hundredths of a second.

“I tried to kick clear with about 250m to go but I’m not in top form and my legs just started going with about 50m to go,” said Dodd, who took victory in 2m 11.70s.

“I had to glance across at my team manager at the end just to make sure I had won.

“I had been on holiday and my training has been really hard since I got back as I was worried about showing myself up.

“But I think that affected my legs because they felt really heavy, but I managed to get the win.

“I had such a great four days at the Games. It was a great experience.

“It rounds off what has been my best ever season.”

Like Dodd, 15-year-old Lake, from Hockley, was at her first UK School Games and came away with a fine victory in the high jump.

The teenager, who attends Southend High School for Girls, cleared 1.72m at the second attempt and watched on as her closest rival failed all her attempts at the same height.

Riches, 15, from Rayleigh, won her silver medal in the 3,000m, while Wilson, from Southend High School for Boys, threw 46.27m in the discus to win a bronze medal.

Tom Richardson, 16, from Stanford-le-Hope was fourth in the 1,500m in 4m 10.45s, while Mitchell Etheridge, 16, from FitzWimarc School, cleared 4m to claim fifth place in the pole vault.