Megan sets record Quadrathlon leap
MORE than 160 young athletes braved the unpredictable weather at Woodbank Park stadium for the Life Leisure Young Athletes Quadrathlon with visitors flocking from far and wide to participate in the events.
Delivered by host athletics club Stockport Harriers for the past 11 years, the event has become a key date in the youth athletics calendar.
All competitors had to complete a throw, a sprint, a middle distance race and a jump during the course of the afternoon’s proceedings which points were cumulated to produce the overall standings and it was more or less the youngest competitor who travelled the furthest to Stockport to take part in the proceedings.
Megan Lasseter (Stockport Harriers) became the first athlete in an Under 15 category to jump over 5ft, and went on to finish third in the Quadrathlon behind fellow Stockport Harriers talent Holly Aitchison and first placed Praise Owoeye from Sale Harriers.
Team competition was also incorporated into the afternoon’s events with Stockport “A” taking the first position in the under 15 girls’ competition comprising of Lasseter, Holly Benson and Holly Aichinson.
For the under 15 boys’ competition it was nip and tuck throughout the afternoon between Stockport’s Emilio Ramirez who finished first (298), with Lewis Hindle of Sale Harriers Manchester in second (295) and Luke Chatwin of Crewe and Nantwich AC taking the bronze medal (290) with each of the three excelling at their own specialities, Ramirez took the 100 metres in 12:2, Hindle the long jump (4:78) and Chatwin impressed in the 800 metres finishing in a time of 2:26:9.
Abraham Fobil (Diane Modahl Sport Foundation) took a full second off the U13 boys 100m to run 12.6 seconds with Benjamin Verbickas of Crewe going on to win the overall title in that age group.
Under 9 competitor Lara Turner travelled all the way from the South Midlands to compete from Rugby and Northampton AC and enjoyed a just reward of 197 cumulative points nipping in front of second placed Romy Adair from Oldham and Royton AC on 192.
A thoroughly successful afternoon’s sport was had by all and the Harriers had much to be grateful for to Life Leisure who came to the financial rescue in providing a magnificent mobile grandstand for the day.
It managed to mitigate a drenching for the spectators owing to the the most unseasonal weather but there will be no weather problems this coming winter when the same competition will be replicated indoors at Sport City under the continued stewardship of Harriers’ event manager Mike Frost, who said: “The Young Athletes Quadrathlon is always a wonderful and inspirational event – it’s so great to see athletic talent of the future in action.
“I think the fact we saw two records broken on the day says a lot about the standard, especially given the weather conditions!
“Working with Life Leisure to hold the event also meant that the athletes, and indeed their coaches and supporters, really benefitted from a fantastic atmosphere – the spectator stand was extremely lively!
“The day was special for all involved and also waved the flag for athletics here in the North West.”
Life Leisure CEO Malcolm McPhail said: “As a former athlete, this event really chimes with me – the buzz and motivation you get from competing in organised events as a youngster really is hard to beat.
“It’s so important to support young sporting talent and I’m delighted that Life Leisure could do just that with the Qaudrathlon.”
The final lower age group of the Youth devel- opment track and field match will be held next Saturday at Woodbank Stadium with a start time for all events at 11.30am when team Stockport will be anxious to put some daylight between themselves and the opposition in order to make their position secure for the season but having home advantage should prove to be significant as has been proved on countless previous occasions.
This coming Sunday sees the second annual running of the triathlon organised by Harriers’ stalwart Maureen Wilkins at the Seashell trust at Stanley road, Cheadle Hulme for which further details may be found at www.seashelltrust.org.uk with events to suit the complete spectrum of athletes and for many different age groups.