MEDAL SUCCESS FOR DYFED ACES

EIGHTEEN Dyfed athletes travelled to Cardiff to compete in the opening day of the Welsh Athletics Junior Indoor Open meeting.

It attracted athletes from Llanelli, Carmarthen and Pembrokeshire and incorporated the West Wales Indoor Championships in the 200m, 300m and 400m ahead of the region’s championships in January in Swansea.

Hundreds of throwers, jumpers and sprinters from all corners descended on the Welsh capital.

The 200m saw seven medals won thanks to victories for Casi Gregson, who ran 29.51 in the under-13 girls, and 26.92 from under-15 Ella Wintle.

Rhodri Roberts continued his fine form to rank first in the under-13 boys’ overall in 28.76.

Ellie Loweth and Dion James won silver medals in the West Wales event, clocking 27.79 and 29.33 respectively.

There were also two bronze medals from the Carmarthen duo of Matthew Vaughan Williams (27.26) and Sophia Reid-Thomas (28.03). Other results in the 200m sprint were Jessica Lee (28.10), Thaia Davies (28.92), Lucy Wintle (29.22), Hannah Forkuoh (29.24), Llew Vardill (29.26), Tom Williams (30.44), Rhys Lloyd-Roberts (31.02) and James Sloyan (32.16).

The other discipline eligible for medals was the 300m, and Ella Wintle dominated to win her second gold of the day, this time finishing in Under-15 girls 200m medallists Ella Wintle, Chloe Simmonite and Sophia Reid-Thomas. 43.47. Her sister Lucy was in the same heat and finished third in 46.84.

Shortly after medalling in the 200m, Loweth was back on the track, running 44.94 in the 300m. As a result, she won her second silver of the competition.

Llanelli’s Kahlen Jones was also in action, crossing in 48.76.

In the field, there was an excellent win for James in the under-13 boys’ high jump, clearing 1.41m.

Forkuoh managed 4.86m in the long jump to place third overall. Kacper Krawcewicz comfortably won the under-13 boys’ shot put with 8.92m.

Sloyan threw 5.64m in the same event. Zara Evans, Lee and Wintle competed in the under-15 girls’ long jump and recorded best performances of 4.70m, 4.10m and 3.72m.

Jac Walters was on the start list for the under-17 men’s triple jump and high jump. He leaped 11.23m in the triple jump and cleared 1.65m in the high jump.

The second day will take place at the same venue in Cyncoed on Sunday, January 6. It presents the opportunity for distance runners to get on the podium in the West Wales Championships as the 800m and 1500m races are contested.

In addition, the 60m, 60m hurdles, long jump, pole vault and shot put will see hundreds of athletes compete from Wales and the South West of England.

Llyn Llech Owain parkrun celebrated its fifth anniversary in 2018.