Who Is Sienna Lavine, The Unbeaten Star Of Pontefract Athletics Club In Yorkshire

It seems there's something special happening over at the Pontefract Athletics Club. Young athletes are not just competing, they're making a real name for themselves, especially one runner who appears to be unstoppable.

We're talking about incredible performances in everything from muddy cross country fields to sleek indoor tracks, with a whole team of rising stars proving that Pontefract is a place to watch for future athletics talent. It's a story of pure grit, teamwork, and some seriously impressive speed.

A Winning Streak That Just Won't Quit

Picture this: it’s a cold day in Yeadon, the ground is probably a bit muddy, and dozens of young runners are lined up for a tough race. This was the scene at the start of this year's West Yorkshire Cross Country League on 7th November 2025.

But for Pontefract's Sienna Lavine, it was just another day at the office. Competing in the under 13 girls race, she didn't just win, she left the field of 47 other runners trailing in her wake. It's one thing to win a race, but Sienna has turned it into a habit.

Remarkably, she hasn't lost a single race in the West Yorkshire Cross Country League since way back in 2021. What makes that even more mind-boggling is that back then, she was competing against girls two years older than her. That’s like a Year 7 taking on Year 9s in a maths test and still coming out on top.

It shows a level of talent and determination that’s pretty rare. This isn't just about being a fast runner; cross country requires stamina to tackle hills and uneven ground, making her consistent victories in the sport of athletics all the more impressive.

It's A Team Effort At Pontefract AC

While Sienna Lavine's unbeaten run is grabbing headlines, she’s not the only one from Pontefract putting in a brilliant performance. The club has some real depth, with other young athletes showing what they're made of.

In the under 15 boys race, Julian Rutkowski put in a solid effort, finishing 21st in a competitive field. The girls were out in force, too. In the under 11 girls race, Ebonnie Turner and Poppy Severn were flying the flag for Pontefract.

Ebonnie Turner finished a strong 21st out of 40 runners, with her teammate Poppy Severn not far behind in 27th place. It shows that the club is nurturing talent across different age groups, creating a brilliant atmosphere where everyone can push themselves.

This kind of shared success is what makes local athletics clubs so special. It's not just about individual glory; it's about representing your town and supporting your mates, whether you come first or twenty-first.

Taking On The North In Sheffield

It’s not just about local league races, either. The club’s athletes are testing themselves against the best in the region. At the Northern Cross Country Relays held in Graves Park, Sheffield, a team of young runners took on clubs from all over the North of England.

The under 11 girls team, featuring Ebonnie Turner, Poppy Severn, and Daisy Storr, showed fantastic teamwork. A relay race is a bit different from a normal cross country race — instead of running the whole course yourself, you run a shorter leg and then hand over to your teammate. It’s all about working together.

The trio finished 17th out of 27 teams, a brilliant achievement on a bigger stage. Taking part in events like the Northern Cross Country Relays is a huge learning curve and proves the Pontefract team has what it takes to compete at a higher level.

Swapping Mud For The Track In Sheffield

Just when you think these athletes might take a break, they switch surfaces. Last Sunday saw the start of the South Yorkshire Indoor Athletics Series at the fantastic English Institute of Sport in Sheffield.

This is a whole different ball game. Forget the mud and hills of cross country; indoor athletics is about explosive power and raw speed on a purpose-built track. And who was there, making her debut in a new age group? Sienna Lavine, of course.

Competing for the first time in the under 15 girls category, she didn't seem fazed at all. She took on the 800 metres, that’s four laps of the 200-metre indoor track, and was the fastest of all 24 finishers. Her time of two minutes and 15.33 seconds was seriously quick. But she wasn't done there.

Results From The Indoor Athletics Event

• Sienna Lavine (Under 15 Girls): Fastest in the 800 metres, second fastest in the 200 metres (26.79s), and threw 6.45 metres in the shot put.
• Isabelle Gittins (Under 15 Girls): Ran a speedy 29.06s in the 200 metres and achieved a fantastic 4.04 metres in the long jump.

Sienna also showed her versatility by competing in the 200 metres, where she was the second quickest out of 47 athletes. And just to prove she can do a bit of everything, she also had a go at the shot put, recording a distance of 6.45 metres.

Her teammate, Isabelle Gittins, was also in action, clocking a great time in the 200 metres and showing her skill in the field with a 4.04-metre long jump.

It's amazing to see these young Pontefract athletes excel in so many different disciplines, from a long cross country race to a short sprint or a powerful throw. While running through the muddy fields of Yorkshire might seem a world away from relaxing on Australia’s sunny Burleigh Beach, the focus and dedication required are just the same.

The future of athletics in Pontefract, and wider Yorkshire, looks very bright indeed.