Club enjoys golden day
The Hampshire multi-event and quad kids champs returned to its normal place on the calender of the May day bank holiday and the club was well represented at the championships which took place in Portsmouth.
nThe event took place alongside the May Day walks, 3000m & mile events and Ieuan Thomas (coach Andy Fisher) competed in the U17+ May day mile race coming 3rd.
nThe quadkids are divided into seperate U10 (year 4) and U11 (year 5) competitions. All the young athletes taking part are coached as part of Mark Wharton's U11s academy. For the U10 boys Arthur Cooney was 2nd with training partner Samuel Barton just behind him in 3rd. Alex Olestsenko was 14th. For the U10 girls, Eva Raftery was 4th and Liane Marquis 7th. For the U11 boys, Christopher Wood took the silver medal just a point behind the winner and Leo Davies-Pratt was 7th. For the U11 girls, the club recorded a 1-2 on the podium with Hallie Eldridge winning the title and Francesca Bertacchini in 2nd place.
nIn the multi-event champs, the club won every title they contested with all athletes coached by Andy Fisher or being part of the U13 academy. Starting with the youngest age groups, Sam Evans won the U13 boys title going 3rd in the clubs all time age group pentathlon list with a points total of 1425 and equal 2nd in the HJ age group lists with an impressive leap of 1.45m. Tom Price was 6th but will be back in this age group next year.
nFor the U13 girls Lily Flute took the title with a points total of 2196 which is good enough for 3rd on the clubs all time age group pentathlon list. Poppy Crook was 2nd in her debut at the event including an impressive HJ of 1.35m. Amber Price was 4th but like her brother will be back in the age group next year.
nIn the U15 boys age group, Zak Reynolds won the title in a canter winning 4 of the 5 individual events to finish 550 points clear of his nearest competitor with a score of 1805 points.
nIn the U15 girls age group are thoughts are with Rebekah Smith who had to retire following an injury to her left foot. The other girls did her proud however with Lucia Bertacchini taking the title with 2757 points and Gracie Osman finishing 3rd in a remarkable debut at multi-eventing with 2501 points. Amazingly, both girls are at the bottom of the age group and will be back next year. Training partners Nyima Sanyang & Isobel Jordan were 4th and 5th completing a tremendous day for the group.
nIn the U17 women age group Abi Belward took the title with an impressive 3K+ points total and training partner and good friend Carys Jeffries took the silver medal with 2704 points, a huge pb.
nFocus for multi-eventing now turns to the Hampshire schools combined event championships taking place in Andover on the 26th May.