Octavian Droobers' Sophie Kirk played a leading role as England won the Interland orienteering event in Belgium last Sunday.
The 17-year-old from Frankton overcame a twisted ankle to win the junior girls' 18-20 years class, scoring the full 12 points.
Kirk's maximum helped England finish seven points ahead of the host nation in the six-team event.
The King Henry V
III sixth-former, who took up orienteering after it was
introduced at her school, says that out-and-out pace is the not most important factor when it comes to being successful in the sport.
"It is no good just to be a fast runner," said Kirk. "You need to be able to read the map at the same speed you are running.
"You can practice this by entering as many events as you can, but some people take a complicated map out to help them visualise landmarks."
Despite picking up a gold medal, there was little time for Kirk to celebrate her achievement as she was faced with a four-hour coach journey back to Calais on Sunday night.
"I suppose I celebrated by having the day off school on Monday," she said.
Four other Droobers members represented England with Lesley Ross (W40) picking up seven points in the W21 category and Robert Gardner earning three points in the M20 event.
Making their debuts in the England squad were Hamish Rogers (M14) and Rachel Emmerson (W14).
