Success at the National Age Group (U15/17/20) Indoor Championships in Sheffield
The National Age Group (U15/17/20) Indoor Championships were held in Sheffield this weekend. A good representation from Exeter Harriers made the journey with 7 athletes flying the colours over the 2 days. A wonderful two golds and a bronze were won. Coaches Lee Farleigh and Gavin Forbes were in the midst of the action over the 2 days, read on for Gavin's report:
Day 1:
Zola Taylor U17 and Olivia Hayes U20 both competed in the 60m.
Olivia progressed from her heat with a time of 7.79, to then run a 7.77 in the semi final. Unfortunately no final this time round.
Zola, keeping up with her fine form for her first ever indoor season ran a 8.04 in her heat.
Sophia Ingham U17 finished 7th in long jump with 5.43m, just 13cm off her legal PB.
Day 2:
Olivia Hayes competed in the 200m. Running her first heat in a new indoor PB of 24.95, she followed up in her semi final with another indoor PB of 24.77.
Olivia then went on to the final to grab herself a bronze medal with a time of 24.91. Sub 25s also means Olivia has run entry times for the UK British Indoor Championships in Birmingham.
A mixed bag in the hurdles.
Both Darcie Benson U15 and Harrison Mconnell U15 flew the flag, unfortunately neither progressed further from their heats on this occasion.
Josh Taylor U20 competed in the 60m hurdles, running a PB of 7.77s. This put Josh into the final where he ran another new PB of 7.71 and gained him the gold medal.
Olivia Steer U17 ran an impressive 4.32.79 in her 1500m race, finishing strongly in this straight final to take the win and earn herself gold.
It has to be said we are extremely proud of these athletes. They have competed against the best in the country over the weekend and have done superbly. Just qualifying is an achievement in itself, as that means that THEY are amongst the best in the country.
Well done all of you!