The North East’s youngsters tear up track and field
DESPITE strong winds the region’s young athletes excelled at the North East Counties Track and Field Championships at Gateshead International Stadium.
Records fell like nine-pins on the track and on the field, with Gateshead’s Emily Gargan producing two new championship-best performances in the under-20 age group.
On the opening day the Gateshead Harrier won the long jump gold medal after making a mark in the sand at 5.68 metres, which added one centimetre to the 2007 record set by Shildon’s Melissa Carr.
Twenty-fours later, competing in her favoured triple jump, Gargan once again smashed Carr’s record, also set in 2007, with a huge jump of 12.62m.
In the under-20 men’s section Gateshead pair Jason Nicholson and William Curtis were in superb form, winning two events.
Curtis won gold in the 200m and followed that up with victory in the 400m in one of the most exciting finishes of the weekend, while Nicholson was successful in both the 100m and 110m hurdles.
In the under-17 women’s age group, Morpeth’s Bobbi Griffiths topped the podium on four occasions – she also claimed gold in the older under-20 javelin – after winning shot, discus, javelin and hammer.
There were also double golds for Gosforth’s Rhian Purves, who won the 1,500m and 3,000m, and for Shildon’s Rachel Bennett, who sprinted to victory in both the 100m and 200m.
In the under-17 men’s section, Morpeth’s Ruaridh Lang smashed the discus record after a throw of 45.65m, while there were double victories for Ethan Crawford (Darlington) and Durham City’s Chris Milburn.
Crawford won both the 100m and 200m while Milburn topped the podium after winning the pole vault and hammer.
In the under-15 girls competition Durham City supporters had plenty to celebrate at the conclusion of the the 300m.
Not only did Tia Anderson set a new championship record but she was followed across the line by team-mates Jennifer Taylor and Etchells, making it a one-two-three for the tangerines.
It was a great championship for Anderson, who also topped the podium in the 200m.
In the same age group Houghton all-rounder Philippa Ellis claimed three gold medals after winning the 100m, 75m hurdles and the shot put competition, while Morpeth’s Holly Peck claimed a middle distance double after victory in both the 800m and 1,500m.
Another Houghton success came in the under-15 boys success with Henry Johnson breaking the 800m championship record after claiming victory in the 1,500m on the opening day.
Tynedale’s Dan Joyce was also a record-breaker after posting 37.57s to win the 300m.
There were also double victories for Blaydon’s Lewis Cant in the 100m and 200m and for North Shields Poly’s James Wordsworth, who topped the podium after shot and discus success.
In the under-13 girls section, another record fell to a Durham City athlete after Erin Keeler-Clarke won the 1,500m, setting new figures of 5min 02.41sec, and there was also a new record set in the under-13 boys events.
North Shields Poly’s Josh Blevins had already won the 1,500m on the first day but he showed no sign of tiredness 24 hours later to hold off the challenge of his rivals to win the 800m in an impressive 2.16.20.
In the seated throwing events Gateshead’s Samantha Gray won the javelin, discus and shot.
As well as the numerous new records achieved, athletes were rewarded with new lifetime-best performances, which augurs well for the future of the sport in the region.