News

Twenty-Eight SNHAC young athletes travelled with officials to Cambridge for the last Eastern Young Athletes League of the season. There were wins for new member Aubrey Murray in the U13 Boy’s HJ 1m33 PB, Bobby Pitman in the U15 Discus 32m35, Sam Buss Hammer 30m02, Patrick Thorne 1500m 5 mins 11.1 secs and Jamie Timms Javelin 42m18. In the U13 girl’s competitions U13 Georgia Sutcliffe had PB’s in all three events – 100m, 200m and long jump with second place finish in the 200m (14.0, 29.2 and 3m76), Edythe Oughton was second in her first hurdle race in 14.2 and Enid Whitten was second in both shot and discus (both PB’s) 6m68 and 16m81. Personal best performances in the U15 age group came from Kirsten Morley 200m 31.2, Fran Hart high jump 1m30, Kaira Harvey long jump 3m22and Reece Wannerton won the pole vault. U17’s Annabel Howells 200m and Delia Prevatali HJ both came second with personal best performances 27.7 and 1m45. Abigail Manson came second in the A string U15 1500m. Team Managers Libby Taylor and Shannon Rapacchi are looking forward to a successful year with the team next year.

Travelling with the team Mike Gregory Time-Keeper, Ed Laws Track Judge, Field Judges Phil Laws and Norma Harris were joined by parents, to ensure that the team gained maximum officials points for the match.

The last senior match of the season at Ridlins Stadium saw George Marvel extend the Club Hammer record he set at St Albans in August - a throw of 53m89 won the men’s event while Libby Taylor won the women’s Hammer with 43m49. Other wins came from Ed Laws and Joel Evans in the 400H - 55.03 and 58.45 respectively, Shannon Rapacchi and Aimie Taylor in the women’s pole vault 3m40 and 3m05 and Steve Feely in the B string shot. There were second place finishes for Will Galliford 1500m, Isaac Whitten 3k steeplechase, Michael Stocker pole vault, Jessica Astill 200m, Olivia Lindsay long jump and Georgia Shephard Gazely Javelin. The afternoon ended with an exciting mixed 4x400m relay. Stevenage’s team of Ed Laws, Jessica Astill, Alex Pickard and Chris Feely finished in third in a time of 4.07.40 mins .

A massive thank you to the many volunteers who gave up time to help officiate, organise refreshments and manage the team. It would not have been possible to host the match without your help.

A small but select group of athletes and volunteers travelled to Lee Valley on Monday evening for the final Vets match of the season. Sandra Reed -100m/400m/TJ, Mark Pinney 1500m/Triple Jump, Steve Mayfield Discus/Javelin and Helen Beddall Hammer, made the journey along with Dani Mainstone, Norma Harris and Sue Spicer officiating. A slightly delayed start due to problems on the M25 meant the Discus the Club was officiating started 45 minutes late, but an efficient lead from Dani ably backed up by Sue, Helen, Norma along with Tony Shaw and an Essex Official saw it finish on time.

Sandra enjoyed her outing, winning the 400m 73.50 and triple jump 8m17, coming second in the 100m, Steve was delighted to be back in action following a rib injury and was pleased with his season’s best in both javelin and discus 25m90 and 19m94. Helen enjoyed a consistent series of throws in the Hammer the best being 15m72. Mark enjoyed his outing in the 1500m 7.05.38 and triple jump 8m41 in what is likely to be his last competition in a Stevenage vest as a move to the Midlands is imminent. We wish him all the best in his new venture.

Fifteen of SNHAC’s U20 and U17 athletes travelled to the Stonex Stadium, Hendon on Sunday for the last Youth Development Match of the season. The Club were up against teams from Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers, Hillingdon, and composite teams from Harrow/Dacorum & Tring and Team West London. Wins for the U17’s came from Jess Astill in the 300m 41.76, William Galliford in the 1500m 4.25.75 and Aimie Taylor in the pole vault 3m05. Sarah Movromoustakis 100m, Amelie Hobbs 3000m. Kachi Dike Javelin, Jamie Joseph 100m/200m Isaac Whitten 800m/ HJ and Jake Sutton 400H made up the U17 team.

U20’s Libby Taylor and Georgia Shephard Gazely won the Hammer 43m75 and Javelin 34m01 respectively, Ed Laws set another personal in the 400H wining in 55.10, while Joel Evans picked up points winning the B string 200m in 22.72. Jacob Kinchin Smith 100/200m and Alex Pickard 100m made up the U20 team.

Race of the day was the U20 4x100m relay where Jacob, Ed and Joel were joined by U17 Jamie Joseph. A thrilling race saw SNHAC emerge victorious in 44.46 to a Shaftesbury Barnet’s Squad who finished in 44.70. A great way to end the day.

Three Stevenage and North Herts U15 and U17 athletes were in action at Kingston upon Thames at the SEAA Championships on the 21st and 22nd August. Saturday saw U15 Jamie Timms in action. 12.64 in the heats of the 80H saw him reach the final where he finished in 7th with a time of 12.78. A PB of 42m37 in the Javelin saw him finish in 8th. Sunday saw Jamie joined by Bobby Pitman in the long jump where both boys jumped PBs. Jamie finished 8th with 5m30 and Bobby was 9th with 5m10. Bobby was involved in the Discus final where a PB throw of 36m76 secured the silver medal. U17 Jamie Joseph recorded a time of 24.34 in his heat of the 200m.