Remarkable 14-year-old student at Harrogate school determined to make LA Olympics in 2028

Lydia Eastwood, a pupil of Ashville College, is targeting her shooting ambition on the forthcoming LA 2028 and Brisbane 2032 Olympic games.

The schoolgirl’s prowess and precision were identified at an early age thanks to her love of competition with The Pony Club.

Over the years Lydia has pursued fencing, swimming, running, riding and shooting for the GB Pentathlon Squad.

Her talent is now being nurtured by British Shooting with the intent of competing in major events around the world.

Dad Martin, said her energy and enthusiasm for sport had been fuelled by Ashville teachers and overall passion for sport.

“She has absolutely flourished at school thanks to the belief and pride her teachers have in her,” he said.

“It would be a dream come true for Lydia to get to the Olympics and I have no doubt she will set her mind to it."

Lydia, 14, competes in the Under 16 category – often against boys of her own age group.

Dad Martin added: “What is more remarkable, for a girl who is a bundle of energy and often struggles to sit still, her focus in training and competition is quite astonishing.”

The Ashville College student won two silver medals in the 2022 Modern Pentathlon European Laser Run Championships in Marathon, Greece.

She came second in both the Girls U13 Individual Laser Run and the U13 Mixed Laser Run.

Representing the Pentathlon GB team, Lydia took part in the 2023 World Championships held in Bath and previously the 2022 event, held in Lisbon, Portugal, where she helped secure gold for the GB U13 girls’ team along with a silver medal in the Mixed Relay event.

Rhiannon Wilkinson, Head of Ashville College, said the whole school was immensely proud of her talent and ambition.

“Lydia embodies Ashville’s sporting success and competitive spirit for which we are so well known," she said.

"It’s wonderful to see our girls competing at such a high standard with this level of confidence, resilience and determination.”