Photos start here...
The UKYDL final completes the league events for the
summer of 2019 and Blackheath and Bromley Harriers young athletes once again
excelled, with the U13 and U15 squad coming agonisingly close to victory and
the U17 and U20 age groups winning convincingly.
The Upper age group final was dominated by the black
vests of Blackheath and Bromley Harriers and saw them clock up a massive
final tally of 903 points, with main rivals Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers 2nd
with 776 and Team Avon in 3rd 587, making them Champions for the fourth year
in a row.
In the last six years the lower age group have now
placed 3rd once and 2nd five times, impressive but frustratingly close.
These results along with the upper age surely see BBHAC youngsters as the
best club in Britain.
The U13 boys had a strong squad of 14 boys travelling
to Manchester including three travelling reserves who were ready for any
last minute illness or injury changes.
The sprint hurdlers got us off to a terrific start
with Rayhan Mourtada powering to a great win, in a new personal best time; a
performance good enough to get his photo in “Athletics Weekly”. Rayhan also
ran a strong leg in the relay.
In the B string Andrew Nikoro was up against tough
competition but ran well securing a great silver. Andrew also stepped up and
ran a great replacement leg in the relay but not before competing in the
high jump where he placed fourth in the A string.
Max Kennedy won bronze in the Javelin with a 32.81m
throw and was fourth in the shot clocking up good team points.
Finn Kitteridge had a busy day in the field winning
the B string high jump and winning the B string Javelin with a 28.88m throw.
Finn was just outside the medals in the shot but scored more valuable points
for the team.
Zuriel Nwogwugwu started his busy day running well in
the 200m just outside the medals, but then picked up a great silver in the
100m sprint before comfortable winning the A string long jump, just 4cm
short of 5m. Zuriel also ran the last leg in a hastily changed team, due to
a late injury replacement.
David Dare won a fine silver in the B string 200m and
was racing well in the 100m but unfortunately was struck by injury in the
last 20m.
Jasper Brooks had a very good run in a tough 800m
field and sliced off over one a half seconds from his best despite getting
cramp, but this did mean Jasper wasn't able to contest the long jump as
planned.
With our strong reserves all ready to go, the long jump withdrawal wasn’t a
problem and Marley Byfield stepped up superbly jumping a new best of 4.25m
and winning bronze for his efforts. Marley also ran a good leg one on the 4
x 100m relay.
In the b string 800m Franco Hillier ran a determined
race and pushed hard at the bell, securing a brilliant bronze and took over
two and a half second off his PB.
The 1500ms were tough and Alex Middleton and Josh
Healy both ran hard but unfortunately just missed out on the medals, placing
fourth.
The U13 boys team we so lucky to have three travelling
reserves and it was great to see Harry Fage, Daniel Jenkins and Hendri
Verster warmed up and ready to go if needed and were as much a part of the
team as any athlete.
The team as whole were superb and were a great credit
to the club and I’m sure each and everyone one of the them will be stronger
for the experience.
Looking forward to track and field season 2020 but not
before the challenging winter season 2019/20
Paul
Austridge
Photos from Jay Galley
More photos here
https://athleticsdigital.com/leagues/ydl_uk_national_lower_age_group_final_2019/
