Day One
U15 Girls’ 60m
Hannah Buckton rubbed shoulders with the best in the UK and performed admirably (8.42secs) in her heat. She will benefit from the experience as she has another year in the year group.
U15 Boys’ 60m
The North Eastern and Northern Champion, Joel Brown King, looked right at home at this level finishing second in his heat (7.48secs).
Joel battled well in a very competitive semi final. The experience at these National finals will only benefit him as he looks towards his outdoor season.
U17 Women’s 60m
Darcey Garbutt ( Scottish and Northern finalist) flew to a new personal best (7.90secs) in the heats of the 60m . This proved her best of the day as she went out of the competition in a very competitive semifinal race. The experience will benefit Darcey as she is in the first year of this age group.
Joy Eze, the reigning Scottish and Northern 60m champion, glided through her heat as the fastest qualifier but had to survive two false starts to win a nervy semifinal in commanding style (7.51secs).
Racing against the top five ranked performers in the UK in the final, including the UK and European leading performer, Joy produced a storming performance to maintain her 100% indoor record; realising her first Indoor National title in a new personal best (7.51 secs). The victory was all the sweeter as she had been disqualified in the same final last year.
U17 Men’s 60m
Matthew Lumb, the Scottish and Northern Eastern 60m champion acquainted himself well against the best in the country, easily qualifying through the heats (7.24 secs). Unfortunately a hamstring twinge inhibited his progress and he exited the competition at the semi final stage recording (7.26secs).
U20 Women’s 60m
Gateshead’s newest recruit, and North Eastern Champion, Rachel Bennet, achieved a new lifetime best of (7.67 secs) in qualifying for the final of the 60m where she committed well to achieve a very creditable 5th place.
Day Two
U15 Girl’s 60m Hurdles
Hannah Buckton should be very proud of her efforts in reaching the semifinal stage of this competitive event (9.82secs). Once again the experience will help her develop further as she has another year to hone her technique.
Under 17 men’s shot
Jack Halpin, the Northern and Northern Eastern Champion, left it late to take control of a hotly contested shot putt event. Behind his season’s best efforts, Jack kept all his supporters on tender-hooks until the 5th round, where he reestablished his dominance, heaving the shot to beyond 15 metres to take the lead. He settled everyone’s nerves in the final round when he powered ahead with a (15.74m) putt to consolidate his gold medal winning performance and improve on his silver medal from last year.
Under 17 Women’s 200m
Darcey Garbutt can be well pleased with her 200m season debut of (26.23) in a very competitive event. Her run was considerably faster than her corresponding effort from last year and bodes well for the coming outdoor season.
Under 17 men’s 60m hurdles
Arron Lillistone, the North East Champion and record holder, locked horns with the country’s best hurdlers and can be delighted with his efforts. He battled hard to run near his personal best (8.36secs) in making it through to the semi- final where a (8.40 secs) performance ensured a final appearance. Aaron rose to the challenge and finished a marvelous 6th place. He should be delighted with his first National final appearance.
U20 Women’s 60m Hurdles
Philippa Ellis, the North East Champion, unfortunately bowed out of the heats of the hurdles after catching the first flight after an excellent start. Her Indoor campaign continues with the Multi-events National Championships in March.
U20 Men’s 60m Hurdles
Oliver Lewis, the North Eastern Champion, acquitted himself well achieving a season’s best (8.90secs) in a quality heat. He will now turn his attention to the Scottish Championships next month.
Congratulations to coaches, officials, family and well wishers who supported the athletes at the weekends proceedings. It was wonderful to see so many Gateshead athletes competing at such a high standard against the best in the British Isles.
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