Young talent shines as record-breaking teens scoop Championship awards
THE indoor athletics season may have come to an end but there was still the matter of presenting the awards to the athletes-of-the-match from the North East Counties Championships.
Despite the lack of first-class facilities in the area, athletes make the best of what Gateshead College has to offer which is a 60 metres straight and throwing and jumping areas. It hasn’t stopped a surge in participation during the winter months especially in the county championships.
Seven new championships records were set as well as a huge number of competitors setting new pbs over the two days so it wasn’t surprising that the adjudicators had a difficult time in naming the Start Fitness athletes-ofthe-match. There were four awards on offer, two for the best field performances (male and female) and two for the best track (male and female) with awards presented by England Athletics Head of Coaching, Martin Rush.
Championship secretary Keith Willshire, said the standard of competition this year had been really high which made the adjudicators task that much more difficult.
“The NE Indoor Championships goes from strength-to-strength and this year we had record numbers in many of the events,’’ said Willshire.
“So it isn’t surprising that all of the award winners are amongst the top athletes in the country. And it’s really pleasing that all of those who were adjudged the best come from the younger age groups which augurs well for the future.’’
Gateshead’s Josh McKeown’s 60 metres victory in 7.46secs in the under-15 event was the top male track performance, while team-mate Jack Halpin was named top male field performer after his 12;67 metres in the under-15 boys shot putt which broke the old championship record which had stood since 1997.
The female track award went to Houghton’s Philippa Ellis for her under-15 60m hurdles performance of 9.45secs which also broke the old record as did Charlotte PickeringPruvot (Morpeth) who erased the under-17 shot putt with 12:68m.