Young talent from across the North is out in force at Monkton

JUNIOR ATHLETICS

THE North East Counties Pentathlon Championships at Jarrow’s Monkton Stadium was again a huge attraction for athletes from near and far, writes BILL McGUIRK.

Competitors from Scotland, Yorkshire and Merseyside helped swell the numbers to give local athletes good competition.

The under-13 and under-15 girls’ sections were particularly strong with more than 20 competitors in each age group making it a long day for the hard-working officials.

In the under-13 section victory went to Southport visitor Amber Hughes who, after lying in fifth place after the opening 70 metres hurdles, moved into pole position after the high jump - a lead she consolidated in the shot and 800m.

Hughes totalled 2.436 points finishing 52 points ahead of Gateshead’s Georgina Mabbott who was crowned North East champion.

The under-15 girls’ event also went to a visiting athlete - Glasgow Victoria Park’s Katie Burr with 2,864 points which was just 12 points short of the meeting record set last year by fellow Scot Nicole Proudfoot of Annan and District AC.

Chester-le-Street’s Kosi Izuora, with 2,467 points, finished in NE silver medal position.

In the under-17 women’s section it was a clean sweep for North East athletes - victory going to Gateshead’s Phillippa Ellis (3,051).

North Shields Poly’s Jemma Rowell finished runner-up (2,644) with Alice Woodhouse earning a bronze medal with 2,519.

Scotland celebrated another victory when Daniel Martin (Giffnock North) amassed 1,851 points to win the under-13 boys’ pentathlon.

Hallamshire’s Cosmo Johnson finished second (1,659) with Durham City’s Noah Glanville the pick of the NE contestants in third on 1,414.

Southport Waterloo’s Sam Coupland took the under-15 boys’ event with 2,617.

Middlesbrough’s Frankie Angioy was runner-up and picked up the NE title (2,416), Jarrow and Hebburn’s Thomas Paterson finishing third overall (2,348).

Blaydon’s Aaron Lillistone claimed the bronze award with 2,136.

In the under-17 men’s competition victory went to North Shields Poly’s Connor Splevins (2,439).

Curtis Bingham (Jarrow and Hebburn) ended up second with 1,959 and Alnwick’s Oliver Telfer received the bronze medal with a tally of 1,922.