Page 29 - Summer2016Gazette

Athletics Report 27

specialist event, celebrates
by winning both the sprint
and long hurdles. However,
to begin at the beginning,
as Dylan Thomas would
have it: we are down to one
pole vaulter, though Shaye
finishes her season with a
solid 2nd place. Having lulled
the opposition, albeit briefly,
into a false sense of security,
we bring out our big guns
for the long hurdles: Yasmin,
making her League debut at
the event, finishes a fine 2nd
and Catrin wins the B, before
Holly and Kate take maximum
points in the 300mH. With in the U20 and Yasmin and team, the jumpers also make
three wins out of four also Eloise O’Shaughnessy, making a healthy contribution by
in the 100ms, thanks to Isio, her YDL debut, win both U17 leading in all three triple jump
Charmont and Katie (and races. Not to be outdone, we competitions (Annie, Karina
a 3rd from Modupe), and a then take 2nd in both strings and Nicole Farmer) and taking
clean sweep of the 1500ms of the U17 steeplechase, two 2nd places in the long
(Katy-Ann, Jess, Kelsi Cornish courtesy of Millie and Grace jump (Jamiyla and Karina)
and Millie), we lay down a (matching her earlier run in and two 1sts and a 3rd in the
fairly fearsome statement of the 400m). high jump (Jamiyla, Antonia
intent… and then reinforce it: While all this has been going Alapafuja and Maite).
we again win three out of four on, out in the field points It may come as no surprise
of the sprint hurdles (Isabella, are being grabbed by the that we carry this form to the
Annie and Holly, with Kate handful. In the U20 throws, tape by winning both sprint
3rd) and three out of four of Divine again wins both the relays and the 4x400, with a
the 200s (Maya, in a PB, Isio, shot (with Maite taking the B, 3rd for the 4x300 team, but
again, and Immanuela) and as well as 2nd in the javelin) even so our winning margin
both the U17 3000ms (Kelsi and discus (where Anna is of 150 points from Windsor is
and Amy Leach), with Niamh runner-up) and Emma is 3rd quite remarkable. For the first
taking 2nd in the U20. Add to in the hammer. It’s the same time in the League’s history
that a 1st and 3rd in the 300m glad story in the U17s: Eloise (ok, it’s only been going 4
from Megan Walsh, returning wins shot and javelin, where years, but still) we win the
successfully from injury, and Carys is 2nd, as she is in the Southern Premiership title.
Olivia and we’ve got real hammer, and 3rd in the discus. That’s the preparation done.
momentum as we head in to Another newcomer, Yinka We’re in good shape. Now for
the final track events. The Shokunbi takes silver in the B the Big One at Bedford!
800ms don’t disappoint: Jess string hammer. And as we are
and Amy place 2nd and 3rd a well-balanced and rounded Tim Soutar