Stratford AC juniors lead Warwickshire to success
STRATFORD AC juniors provided 50 per cent of the Warwickshire team that performed brilliantly in the under 13 and 15 West Midlands Regional Sportshall finals held in Chelmsley Wood.
The Stratford contingent brought a competitive edge and genuine team spirit to the team and the under-13 boys and both the under-15 teams won their respective age groups, defeating their perennial rivals from Birmingham and the under-13 girls, only just missed out winning by a narrow margin to Birmingham.
All the age groups were very competitive and the competition was even more intense than in previous years with some strong athletes in each team making all the events tough going.
This made the competition tight throughout but the Warwickshire team, primarily led by the Stratford athletes, had more depth and far more top three placings.
The under-15 athletes compete in a three-event all-rounder competition and the stand out performances came from Millie Leighton who won gold and Maddie Clark bronze in the girls’ event and Alex Powell won bronze in the boys’ event.
The relays at the end were superb and dominated by Stratford athletes who produced very quick running with slick handovers and it rounded off a hugely successful day with three teams through to the national finals in Manchester in April.
Medal winners
Under-15 boys: speed bounce – Alex Powell, gold; 8-Lap paarlauf – Alex Powell, gold; standing triple jump – Nick Butler, gold (8.52m); 2-lap – Nick Butler, bronze; 4-lap – Alex Powell, bronze; standing long jump – Cole Williams, silver; Harry Sugden, bronze.
Under-15 girls: 2-lap – Millie Leighton, gold; 4×2-lap – Millie Leighton, Jasmine Williams, Grace Fairweather, gold; shot put – Maddie Clark, gold; standing long jump – Grace Fairweather, silver; vertical jump – Millie Leighton, silver; Maddie Clark, bronze; speed bounce – Millie Leighton, silver; 4-lap – Grace Fairweather, bronze.
Under-13 girls: standing long jump – Lucy Lane, gold; 4-lap – Lucy Lane, bronze; 2-lap – Caitlin Buckley, silver.
Under-13 boys: obstacle relay – Louis Kendrick and Matthew Bexson, gold; speed bounce – Matthew Bexson, silver; vertical jump – Oscar Albanese, silver; Josh Roberts, bronze; 2-lap – Oscar Albanese, bronze; 6-lap – Louis Kendrick, bronze; 4-lap – Henry Madden Forman, bronze.
England Athletics Combined Events Championships
THREE Stratford AC youngsters showed their developing talent in the England Athletics Combined Events Championships in Sheffield.
After a strong winter’s training, Adam Farrow once again showed he will be one of the main contenders for honours outdoors by finishing his under-15 competition in fourth place.
Apart from a below-par long jump, Farrow excelled in his other events, particularly in the shot. He threw a massive 1.5.metres more than ever before that showed the progress he’s made over the winter with his throws coach Sandy Green.
Results: 60m hurdles 9.77, long jump 5.25, shot 10.42, high jump 1.74m, 800m 2.25.00.
Farrow’s team-mate, Freddie Clemons, has moved into the under-15s and at this age maturation plays a big part in combined events, but Clemons is a strong battling athlete and he finished a creditable 12th after a series of fine performances.
Results: 60m hurdles 10.01, long jump 4.75m, shot 8.21m, high jump 1.50m, 800m 2.30.75.
Maddie Clark has just moved up to the under-17 girls’ age group and she went into the competition with some trepidation, but once again rose to the occasion and despite finishing 37th in a competitive competition she showed, with more confidence, the outdoor season will be an exciting time for her.
Results: 60m hurdles 9.86, long jump 4.23m, shot 9.34m, high jump 1.35m, 800m 3.10.67.