Alex continues golden summer

Alex Beck (coach Mark Upton) continued his rich vein of form with victory in the U20 mens 400m at the South of England senior and U20 champs at Walton yesterday. Alex recorded an impressive time of 47.94 secs in windy conditions, his 3rd time under the Commonwealth Youth games qualifying standard and 16 year old Alex has surely now got 1 foot on the plane to Trinidad. Training partner Laura Clark (coach Mark Upton) made it a podium double for Mark Upton's long speed training group by recording a time of 57.09 secs to take 3rd place in the senior womens 400m. Laura had run slightly quicker the day before in her heat to qualify for the final and in doing so improved her time to 57.03 secs as 3rd on the clubs all time 400m list.Arabella Wilson (coach Andy Fisher) despite competing up an age group in the U20 event, brought home two medals from the champs yesterday. Bella took silver in the 400m hurdles before returning later in the day to secure a bronze in the 200m in a difficult day for the half lap runners who were sprinting into a very strong headwind. Charlie Elford Pond (coach Eric Davison) finished 2nd in the U20 mens hammer on the Saturday recording 57.71m with his 4th round throw.Others taking part at the champs included Rohan Gray (coach Mark Upton) who was 5th in heat 3 of the U20 mens 100m on Saturday after sprinting into a near galeforce minus 3.8 wind. Gus Bowden (coach Andy Fisher) was 6th in the U20 mens 400m hurdles also on Saturday and then returned on the Sunday to come 4th in the high jump in the same age group. Finally Beth Austin was 7th in the U20 womens 400m hurdles yesterday.The club therefore returned from the champs with no less than 5 medals these being a gold for Alex, a silver & bronze for Bella, a silver for Charlie and a bronze for Laura.