News

Five of the Clubs U15 and U13 athletes were in action in the Eastern Championships at Lee Valley over the weekend. U13 Edythe Oughton had a successful competition with personal best performances in the 60m hurdle 11.44 and long jump 3m88 for the bronze medal. Connie Dykes in her first competition for the Club recorded 9.56 in the 60m and 3m40 in the long jump. Max Whitely gained a gold medal for his 3m36 long jump. U15 Oscar Whitely jumped 3m87 in the long jump, while Abigail Tongue competed in the 60m hurdle (first time at a new height) 12.01 and high jump 1m18.

Competing in her first National Championships as an U20 Jess Astill was second in her heat of the 400m equalling her PB of 55.96. Hampered in the final and having to slow down to stay on her feet, she managed to hang on to 3rd place and take the Bronze medal in a new club U20 Record time of 55.81.

Competing on the other side of the Atlantic at the Monmouth Winter Invitational in New Jersey Senior Athlete Oscar Jopp recorded Season’s Best performances in the pole vault – 4m10 and high jump 1m74.

With places up for grabs to represent Hertfordshire Schools at the English Schools Cross Country Championships in March, a number of Club athletes were entered by their schools for the County Championships at Westminster Lodge on Saturday. There were top eight finishes for Will Galliford and Abigail Manson in the Inter Boy’s and Girls competitions – both finishing 6th, which should ensure they are in the County Team. Other top twelve finishers were Lucy Storey (9th) in the Senior Girls age group and Charlotte Livingstone (12th) Inter Girls and Thomas Redfern (9th) Junior Boy’s.

In the younger age groups Oliver Rose and Hazel Spitzer finished 4th in their Year 6 races and Edythe Oughton was 11th in the Pre Junior age group.

Trials in Ware on Sunday were held for the County Team to represent Hertfordshire at the Regional Sportshall Championships in March at Norwich. 10 of the Clubs Jumpers and Hurdlers attended the Trials with places in the U13 and U15 girls and boys team the prize. Alastair Gall Gray has been selected for the U13 Boys team, Bobby Pitman and Adam Bungay have been selected for the U15 Boys Team. Skye Barnet, Millie Cunnington and Edythe Oughton have been selected for the U13 Girls and Lucy Baverstock for the U15 Girl’s Team.

South of England Success for Jess!

U20 athlete Jessica Astill was in action at Lee Valley over the weekend competing at the South of England Championships. A personal best 57.56 and second place in her heat was superseded by a superb run in the final. A time of 55.96 not only secured the gold medal but is a Club Age Group Record. Jess will be in action at the English Age Group Championships in Sheffield this weekend and is currently ranked 5th nationally. Other U20 athletes competing were Jamie Joseph who ran a 7.32 PB in his heat of the 60m and Jacob Kinchin Smith who ran 23.73 In his heat of the 200m.

Senior Athlete Dan Gardner came second in the pole vault clearing 4m80.