21 April 2018 - U13/15 - Bracknell
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UK Youth Development League, Bracknell, Saturday
21st April.
Last weekend kicked off the new track and field season for Blackheath and
Bromley Harriers Athletics club U13 and U15 boys and girls.
2017 was a great year for our young athletes and despite only coming 2nd in
the Southern premier league, we went on to perform superbly in the final,
placing 2nd overall, just 3 small points behind National champions Sale
Harriers from Manchester.
So, this year expectations are high, but with a good number of our athletes
unavailable due to their selection for the London boroughs mini marathon
three mile championships (an event that doesn’t affect our rivals) the day
was always going to be tough. But on the positive side we were lucky enough
to have last year boys winter team captain Marco Arcuri on hand to help and
inspire, due to his University’s ridiculously long end of term break!
The U13 boys team was made up of eleven boys of whom nine were making their
track club debuts. Ethan Alapafuja, a relatively seasoned campaigner having
competed all last summer, had a busy day placing 2nd in a fast 200m and also
ran the 100m sprint and anchored the 4 x100m relay team. Ethan just about
had time to squeeze in the high jump as well. Another experienced U13 is
Oles Chaban and he showed his range running the tough 800m less than an hour
after sprinting the 200m and also ran a leg of the relay.
The rest of the squad were all making their club debuts and all performed
well in tough competition. Jonny Ellerton had a busy day clearing the eight
barriers that make up the 75m hurdle race and was rewarded with a personal
best time. Jonny then ran hard in the 100m sprint but slightly twisted his
ankle ruling him out of the relay.
Zach Mathews -Mansour ran a brave 800m leading from
the start but said afterwards that he had gone off too hard. However, his
time sees him heading the Blackheath rankings. Arthur Starvis and Alex
Middleton took on the 3 and 3/4 lap 1500m race and both competed well,
working hard in the middle part of the race, both clocking new personal best
times. Judah-Pharez Star Osahon, know to us as Star completed his first race
over the challenging hurdles before sprinting the individual 100m and
running the 3rd leg of the relay. Star also competed in the high jump.
Marley Byfield started his BBHAC career well, despite being in the shadow of
his father, our new Club President! Marley drew the attention away from his
dad with a great run over 100m clocking a fast 14.85, a great first 3.52
long jump and the lead off leg in the relay. Max Kennedy and Finn Kitteridge
were our burly throwers on the day and with them both still at primary
school and having two years in this age group, the future is looking good.
Max and Finn matched each other in the javelin and shot put sharing the
spoils with Max getting the edge in the shot and Finn getting the edge in
the javelin. Archie Whitehead mad a great debut winning his 800m in a new
best time and sportingly did the long jump competition when asked at short
notice.
The U13 boys and girls results, along with the U15 boys and girls are
combined and gave us 3rd on the day behind Reading AC and last years
Southern champions Southampton AC.
With three fixtures left, including our home match, and only the top two
going to the main final we have a lot of work to do. It should be an
exciting season and we look forward to seeing all of our young athletes
performing to their best.
The next fixture in the UK YDL is 19th May at home at Norman Park.
Paul
Photos from Jay Galley
