News

Press Report- sent July 26 2010

Bronze Medal and new club record for Chloe
Chloe Vernon Hamilton set a new club record for the Heptathlon when winning the U20 bronze medal at the South of England Combined Events Championships at the Copthall Stadium over the weekend. A new personal best in the 100m hurdles (15.72) started the weekend which was followed by a high jump equalling her previous best of 1m63, day one was completed with 9m81 in the shot putt and 27.55 in the 200m. Day two was started with 4m78 in the long jump followed by 31m92 in the javelin and finished with 2.28.69 in the 800m. This led to a points score of 4426 beating the previous club record by 56 points.

More Championship successes

Cameron Webb travelled to Pitreavie to compete in the Scottich Championships;  He clocked 51.42 in his 400m heat ands then a PB of 51.40 to place 4th in the final. 

Joylyn Saunders-Mullins is in Hungary (cant spell the actual town!) competing in the European Masters Championships;  her results are;-
100m     July 18        heat  1st 14.10        final 5th    14.28
400m     July 19/20   heat   2nd 70.20       final 2nd    65.91
200m     July 22/23   heat   1st  29.57       final 3rd    29.16

(these are all in  the women's masters 55years+ age group!!)

Championships; July 17/18

Athletes battle conditions across the UK
32 Stevenage and North Herts athletes were competing at 3 championships in Glasgow, Gateshead and Cambridge on Saturday. High winds, rain with the odd glimpse of the sun were conditions which favoured some but proved a real headache for others.
Daniel Gardner competing for England at the Schools International in Glasgow had to deal with strong cross winds which most of the pole vaulters found very difficult. Daniel had to work hard to cope but found his fellow athletes struggled more and he secured an impressive victory beating the Scottish number one by 30cm and last week?s English School?s winner by 50cm when he cleared 4m20. This was Daniel?s first International gold and his coach Beth Harris said ?Daniel?s approach to the conditions was both professional and determined and his 3 attempts at 4m40 indicate there is more to come?.
Louise Shortland was competing at the English Closed Championships in Gateshead where a 17mph head wind had all the vaulters struggling. Louise jumped 3m65 to finish in 8^th place.
30 other club athletes were competing at the Eastern Counties Championships in Cambridge. Strong tailwinds meant the sprinters, hurdlers and long jumpers had a good day with a number of personal best performances but a cross wind for the pole vaulters and difficult conditions for all races further than 100m meant that although medals were won performances were variable. 
Club athletes came away with 12 gold medals, 10 silver medals and 9 bronze medals. Connor Winters (U20) had 3 wins in the 110 hurdles (16.53), pole vault (4m) and long jump (6m49). Best performance of the day came from Alex Gates (U17) with 2 wins in the long jump (5m27 personal best) and triple jump (10m10).
Gold medals were also won by Tilly Farman (U17 pole vault 2m40), Lewis Keeble (U20 400m 50.20), Neil Addison (U17 javelin 35m16), Kashif Jones (U17 high jump 1m80), William Ridgeway (U15 high jump 1m60), Gregory Goddard (U13 shot putt 8m; personal best) and Hayley-Jane Cone (Sen 100m 12.43).
Significant personal best performances were registered by Chloe Vernon Hamilton (U20) in the 100 hurdles (15.87 2^nd ) and long jump (5m10 3^rd), Louise Phillips (U13 100m 13.62 2^nd, 200m 28.34 3^rd and 70m hurdles 12.51 4^th) and Billy Vernon Hamilton (U17 100m 11.54 and 200m 23.55).

SML at Bromley July 10

EYAL at Stevenage; July 11

Massive win for home team
Stevenage Athletes were out in force at their home fixture at the Ridlins track in the Eastern Young Athletes league on Sunday, the team winning with 749 points to Herts Phoenix (615.5), Southend (599), Luton (352), Hillingdon (184), Vale of Aylesbury (176) and Trent Park (161.5). The hot weather assisted many to personal best performances.
?  Multiple girl winners were U13 girl Rebecca Pickard in Long Jump and 200m (4m16 & 30.0), U15girl Sophie Keeble in High Jump and 200m (1m43 & 27.8) and U17women Hannah Dewhurst in probably the hardest events in the heat in the 800m and 1500m (2.23.7 & 5.11.9) and Alex Gates in the Long and Triple Jumps (4m82 & 9m69).
Single wins went to U13 girls Melissa Doran in the Discus (19m21) and Siobhan Rapacchi in the B Discus (14m21).
Other U15 girls winners were Emily Evans? smashing her PB by 3m in the  Hammer throw with of 35.54m,  Elena Cervi (300  44.9) and Shannon Rapacchi (Javelin 20m13).
In the U17women Renee Hector won the discus (30m62), Jade Barber the B Shot (5m66), and Laura Feely the Hammer (24m48) and  the best newcomer  was U17 Katherine Boddy (2^nd in the 800 B and 3^rd in the A Javelin). 
?  The boy?s team not to be outdone also had some outstanding results. Best newcomer was U13 Junior Klutse winning the shot putt ,100m and 200m, (9m18, 13.0 & 27.3) also helping the relay team of Nathan Gardner, Conrad Bobb and Jamie O?Connor to a convincing win (55.0).
In the U15 events William Ridgeway achieved a 10cm increase to  his high jump best with 1m 70 after PBs in the 800 and 400m (2.12.3 & 56.6). Single wins went to Matthew Mardle in the Javelin (33m75) and Max Schopp in the B High Jump (1m50).
U17 men?s team saw Daniel Gardner returning from English schools success winning his Pole Vault then achieving a National standard and a club age group record in the Long Jump (6m73) also winning the Triple Jump. Billy Vernon  Hamilton had wins in the 100m, Shot and Javelin  (11.8, 11m22 & 39m77) with Neil Addison winning the B shot and B Javelin (9m14 & 37m17, Paul Spicer the B 100m hurdles and high jump (17.4 & 1m70),and Ben Murphy the 200m (23.6). The final event of the day saw the U17 men?s relay team of Liam Vooght, Ben Murphy, Peter De?ath and Billy Vernon- Hamilton also storm to victory in 45.9.
?  Team Managers Jan Gates and Steve Feely said that many of the team today had outstanding performances some of which are highlighted but a well done to all who took part and gained vital points leading to this win and a thank you to all the officials and parents for helping to put this event on.

English Schools Championships at Birmingham July 9/10

Success at English Schools
Eight Stevenage and North Herts Athletic Club members represented Hertfordshire at the English Schools Championships in Birmingham on Friday and Saturday.
First into action was Daniel Gardner whose pole vault competition started early on Friday on what turned out to be a very long day. Daniel finished equal second gaining a silver medal vaulting 4m20. However only 2 athletes are invited to compete in the schools international in Glasgow on the 17^th so Daniel was asked to jump again at 5pm in the evening to decide who would be selected. In a thrilling event Daniel again cleared 4m20 to secure selection for Glasgow.
Not to be outdone Moe Sasegbon jumped 1m72 to secure second place in the Senior Girls High jump. At the same time Lewis Keeble was running in the heats of the Senior Boys 400m where he ran 49.61 to reach Saturday?s final.
Sophie Goddard in her first English Schools championships competed on day one and managed a throw of 27m28 in the Inter girls hammer to finish 20th
Renee Hector started the Friday afternoon with a new personal best and club record in the Inter Girls discus throwing 38m50 for the bronze medal. Anne Rees completed day one in the Senior Girls pole vault where the cheers greeting her bronze medal jump of 3m25 could probably have been heard in Hertfordshire.
Beccy Knapp started day two in the Senior Girls hammer throwing 37m04 to finish 15^th. Lewis Keeble ran 49.12 in his 400m final to finish 8^th and Connor Winters competing in his first English Schools finished = 10^th in the Senior Boys pole vault equalling his personal best with a jump of 4m10.
Ending the day Moe Sasegbon ran the first leg of 4x100m Senior Girls relay where the Hertfordshire team finished 6^th in a time of 49.71 in what is her last English Schools Championships as next year she will be at university.

First day;
Inter Boys Pole Vault;   2nd equal  Daniel Gardner     4.20m       won jump-off for international next weekend
Senior Girls High Jump;  2nd          Moe Sasegbon     1.72m
Inter Girls Discus;        3rd           Renee Hector      38.50m (club record!)
Senior Boys 400m heat 2nd           Lewis Keeble       49.61   qualified for tomorrow's final (12.19BST)
Senior Girls Pole Vault   3rd           Anne Rees           3.25m
Inter Girls Hammer       20th          Sophie Goddard   27.28m
Second day;
Senior Girls Hammer     15th          Becky Knapp       37.04m
Senior Boys 400m final  8th           Lewis Keeble       49.12
Senior Boys Pole Vault 10thequal    Connor Winters     4.10m
 

Britich Masters at Cardiff July 3/4

     Two veteran members competed in their National Championships at Cardiff. John Mayor (VM50+) competed in five events, winning the long jump (5m58), coming second in  the 100mand 400m hurdle races, third in the high jump and fourth in the 100m flat.. Godfrey Leak (VM65+) placed fourth in discus and fifth in both hammer and shot events.

u13 Pentathlon at Hemel Hempstead 4 July

?  The blustery winds and warm weather at Jarman Park, Hemel Hempstead on Sunday didn?t deter fellow club members from setting a number of personal best and medal winning performances at the County 3000m and U13 Pentathlon championships.
4 of the club?s middle distance and endurance athletes contested the 3000m Championships with Daniel Poulton leading the Senior men?s race from start to finish to win in a time of 9.21.4. Finishing second in the U20 men?s race, Greg Evans ran 10.19.2 while Hannah Dewhurst ran 11.09.8 to finish second in the U17 women?s race. Sarah Pike also ran the U17 race in a time of 13.43.9.
8 of the younger athletes from the club contested the County U13 Pentathlon Championships.
Each athlete competed in the hurdles, high jump, long jump, shot putt and 800m. Performance of the day came from Gregory Goddard who won the Hertfordshire Championship scoring 1193 pts (14.7, 1m29, 3m96, 7m89 and 3.01.7) James Beddall came 7^th (21.3, 1m08, 3m30, 3m95, 2.53.5).
In the girls event Rebecca Pickard gained the bronze medal with 1717 points (13.2, 1m30, 3m71, 5m07, 2.57.3), Melissa Doran was 4^th 1631 points (13.0, 1m15, 3m51, 4m13, 2.43.6), Martha Huggins was 7^th 1461 points (13.2, 1m30, 3m38, 5m30, 3.21.8), Kate McRoy was 9^th with 1257 points (16.4, 1m24,3m57, 6m58, 3.28.3), Bethany Harley and Rebecca Beddall were 13^th (16.9, 1m15, 2m68, 4m35, 315.6) and 14^th (15.0, 1m03, 3m14, 3m81, 3.30.7).

DSE National Championships at Blackpool 3/4 July

?          13 athletes from the club?s disability section were representing the East of England at the National Championships in Blackpool. The total medal haul from the 13 athletes was an incredible 23 gold, 11 silver and 2 bronze.

In pride of place with 3 gold medals each were Kristian Fox, Jamie Burton, Dominic Hopkins and Martina Barber. The other medallists were Marie Verdille, Fiona Montgomery, Sean McGeever, Freddie Johnson, Callum Briars, Sophie Plummer, Natalie Williams, Georgia Hill, and Mitchell Dutton The East team won the National Team prize by 4 points with a medal tally of 55 gold, 36 silver and 13 bronze. The Hertfordshire team manager Ros Cramp said ? team spirit and endeavour was absolutely fantastic throughout the weekend even though glorious weather on Saturday gave way to rain on Sunday and the team richly deserved their superb win?.

Regional Schools c/events June 26/27

The Combined Event Squad from the club provided 50% of the athletes representing Hertfordshire at the Regional Schools Combined Events Championships in Kent at the weekend where 8 counties competed. 8 Athletes took part in Heptathlon, Octathlon and Decathlon Championships. Between them they recorded 24 personal best performances. Performance of the weekend came from Moe Sasegbon who not only smashed her club high jump record  clearing 1m79 (this performance would have gained her the silver medal at the European trials in Birmingham) but also increased the club Heptathlon record to 4370 points. Anne Rees and Chloe Vernon Hamilton completed the Senior Girls team which won the team event and will represent Hertfordshire at the National Final in Stoke in September. Anne and Chloe both recorded new personal best performances in the 100m Hurdles 16.4 and 16.0 respectively.
Alice Rackham and Claire Ward were part of the Intermediate Girls team which came third recording 8 personal best performances between them, Alice?s 800m 2.31.5 and 26.8 200m and Claire?s 4m55 LJ  showing the most improvement. Connor Winters taking part in his first Decathlon recorded 4 personal best performances the best being an 11.7 100m and 55.5 400m. He finished in 5^th place narrowly  missing a place in the final. Laurence Levy and Billy Vernon Hamilton completed the Intermediate Boys  team which finished 4^th with 5 personal best performances between them, the best being 16.6 for the 100m hurdles which they both recorded. 

National Championships- UK & Mencap

Martina Barber, competing in the Mencap National Championships at Manchester collected three gold medals for wins in the 100m (15.0), 200m (30.6 PB), and long jump (3.86m PB).  Neil McLellan competed in the UKA championships at Birmingham , placing  6^th throwing his javelin 67.40m

NJAL at Hillingdon June 27

?         6 Stevenage athletes made up a team of 10 in the composite Herts team for the National Junior League match at Hillingdon on Sunday. Fine runs by Lewis Keeble and Cameron Webb secured a second and first place in the two 400m races 50.2 and 51.1 respectively and Jess Barber ran a personal best of 64.8 in the women?s 400m race. Other Stevenage athletes competing were Bethan Scanes, Warren Herridge and Tom Sloan.

SWL- Guildford June 26

• In the Southern Womens League at Guildford, Team Managers Sandra Reed and Beth Harris led from the front in a match where every point was fought for by a team missing key members competing at Ashford. They won A and B strings 400m hurdles (70.8 and 83.7) and then like many other members of the team went on to fill the gaps so that every event was covered. Louise Shortland took part in the hammer, shot and 100m as well as her usual pole vault, Temi Fajobi and Jade Barber ran both the 80m hurdles and 300m hurdles, Fran Maydom took part in the 100m and shot as well as usual javelin and U13 Melissa Doran joined the team to fill gaps in the 800m and discus.  The team finished in fourth place with a creditable 107 points with Guildford, Chelmsford and Ipswich finishing 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd.