So ended Day 1 and the athletes, coaches and parents took the opportunity to refuel overnight, before readying ourselves for day 2.
Another sunny day greeted us on our return to Witton Park and the action got underway with Callum Sherry taking Bronze in the long jump, James Margrave and Harry Grant jumped well in support. At the same time Ella Crowe was also jumping well, though in the u15 high jump. Despite equaling her PB of 1.50m, Ella just lost out on a bronze medal on count back, though still has another year in the age group. Also with another year in her new u17 age group, Alice Cashin comfortably won Gold with 1.58m. Alice’s winning height was better than the u20 and senior ladies winners!
Catherine Perry took on the 3000m and ran strongly to come away with a well deserved Silver medal.
The 800m is one of the toughest events to qualify for at the Lancs as there is an abundance of quality across all age groups. Charlie Teare ran a very strong heat and qualified comfortably in u13, whilst Samuel Perry got tangled up in a physical start to his race and limped off with severe ‘track-burn’ to his shoulder (a great war-wound being proudly displayed!). Madison and Ella were not quite able to make their finals in u13 and u15. Charlie then ran a brave race in the final, but was unable to finish in the medals, whilst Kate and Alice also finished outside the medals in a straight final in the u17 ladies.
The sprinters then turned their attention to the 200m and with Blackburn being only a 6 lane bend, qualification was always going to be tough. Charlie wasn’t able to progress in u13, whilst Madison (u13) and Catherine (u15) also went out in the heats. Will ran a fantastic bend to qualify in the u15 boys, whilst in the u17 class, both Bethany Carridge and Lydia Morris ran well and qualified from their heat. Callum Sherry looked comfortable in qualifying in the u17, with James, Harry and Jack not managing to progress to the final. Andy Curphey had a good run in the u20 and his place in the final was well-deserved.
In the 200m finals, Will again ran strongly for 5th place. Bethany Carridge ran superbly and won an excellent Silver medal, Lydia finished outside the medals. Callum was in the leading group off the bend and was unfortunate to miss a medal on the dip. Andy had a strong bend too, but just faded in the final part of the race.
And so the competition finished and the usual mad dash to the coach to hopefully catch the SeaCat ensued. I’m typing this on the boat, so we made it (in good time this year). As I look around, i see a load of very tired, slightly sunburnt, athletes. They all did fantastically well and were a credit to the club and the island.
There are some performances I will have missed as I couldn’t get to see all of the action – apologies for any oversights.
Gordon Crowe
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