Last Sunday was the annual showdown between the two Youth Development League teams where the North East took on Yorkshire in a regional Inter-League match. Teams had been selected from athletes who had taken part in their relative YDL meetings of this season, and there were an impressive 20 athletes from the Darlington/Allerton team representing the North East! It was an excellent, if albeit, windy day of athletics with some top performancesfrom our juniors. Here’sa rundown of how things went…..
Under 13 Girls There were two U13 Girls from our juniors here today, Libby Hammond and Emily Hornsby. There was no 1500m for the U13 Girls, but a shorter 1200m instead. Not a distance that Libby’s used to but she put in a great effort which brought her home in 8th place in a time of 4:24.15. In the shot putt Emily surprised even herself when she smashed her PB with a tremendous throw of 7.40m to finish in 2nd place – that’s an increase of 64cm!! Well donegirls, a great effort from both!
Under 13 Boys An impressive four of our U13 boys were selected to represent the North East. First up was Elwood Kelley in the 800m. As always, a great run from Elwood with a strong finish, crossing the line in 5th place in a time of 2:36.32. In the longer 1500m it was Harry Lyons and Louis Brett wearing the blue and white. Harry showed his usual strength with a very confident performance and was the 1st across the line by a couple of seconds; his winning time being 5:10.41. Louis put in a great effort as well, this time finishing in 5th place in a time of 5:26.44. In the field events, all-rounder, Ashton Harrison took part in the shot putt. A good solid performance from Ashton helped him to 4th place with a best of 7.29m. As usual, some great results from our U13 boys,well done lads!
Under 15 Girls There were three U15 Girls from our juniors competing today. On the track we had super sprinter, Kate Williams, and endurance expert Mia Wetherill; in the field we had throwing maestro, Lily Thompson. Kate ran an excellent 100m, finishing in 2nd place – not bad going for a Year 1 U15 athlete. Her time of 13.3s wasn’t her fastest but with a head wind to contend with that’s not surprising. Mia put in a great effort in the 1500m producing one of her fastest runs this season. Although not a PB, 5:09.4 was enough to take 3rd place and more points for the North East. Lily had a busy day competing in the Hammer, Discus and Shot Putt! First up the hammer and a solid throw of 23.79m, which was enough to bag 2nd place. A great start to the day! Next the discus, and another very competent throw of 21.56m, getting close to her PB, meant Lily took 3rd place. Finally, one of her best events, the shot. Once again, another excellent throw, this time her best of 9.62m was enough to take 1st place! A tremendouseffort from all three girls, well done!
Under 17 Girls Three of our juniors were selected from our U17 Girls, Charlotte Rutter, Caitlin Minns and Rosie Thompson. Charlotte had a cracking day with three top class performances. First one of her favourite events, the 80m Hurdles; a terrific run, taking 1st place by 0.01s! Talk about close! Next the 200m – another great effort and another 1st place in a time of 27.92s. And the final event for Charlotte was the high jump. Not quite a PB but still some excellent jumping, her best on the day being 1.45m taking 4th place. Caitlin was up for the 300m; an excellent run saw her bag more points for the North East team coming 3rd in a time of 46.19. On to the field events and like her younger sister, Rosie had been selected for the Hammer, Discus and Shot Putt. First the hammer and not the best throwing conditions for anyone. Still a great effort though and a best of 34.33m to take 2nd place. In the discus Rosie was a few metres off her PB and was so close to taking 2nd place, but had to settle for 3rd today with a best of 21.15m. Finally, in the shot, it was a 1, 2, 3 for the North East with only 46cm between them. On this occasion, Rosie took 3rd with a solid 9.60m. An excellent performance from all three girls, well done!
…..we should also give a quick mention to Liam Brittle and Nat Bell who were both selected to run but unfortunately couldn’t as they’re still recovering from injury. Hope to see you both back soon lads
