MEDAL SUCCESS FOR DYFED ACES
A TEAM of 75 Welsh Schools athletes enjoyed home territory as the traditional showpiece event of the schools track and field calendar was hosted by Welsh Schools this year.
All roads led to the Swansea University Sports Village and welcomed athletes, officials and coaches from Wales, England, Ireland and Scotland to the SIAB British Schools Track & Field International.
The majority of athletes selected were from the middle age group (Years 10 & 11 in under-17 category), with a handful of outstanding juniors (under-15s) given the opportunity to gain experience of this level of competition for the first time.
It was the perfect opportunity for Welsh youngsters, in particular those making their debut in a Welsh vest, to test themselves against the best at this level.
Welsh Schools picked up five silver medals and six bronze medals, comprising eight individual medals and three from boys’ and girls’ relays.
Medals were presented by members of Welsh Schools and the SIAB International Athletic Board.
A total of 15 athletes were selected from the Dyfed district, which featured Carmarthen, Pembrokeshire and Llanelli club athletes.
Harry Davies (St Michael’s) won a silver medal in the discus, finishing either side of the English duo with a throw of 51.77m.
Dafydd Jones (Bro Myrddin) was involved in a thrilling finish to the 1500m steeplechase, with the Welshman winning bronze by two tenths of a second on the line in 4.34.15.
Adam Beer (Glan y Môr) broke the Llanelli AC under-17 800m club record, running a sub two-minute time in a tactical race.
Iwan Glynn (Bro Myrddin) helped the Welsh quartet finish third in the 4x400m, while Jessica Lee (Dyffryn Taf ) was the youngest member of the under-17 Welsh team.
Results: Lili Church (high jump, 1.61m); Jessica Lee (100m, 13.01, long jump 5.33m and 4x100m); Kasia Cook (3k walk, 18.42.99); Beca Roberts (triple jump, 11.19m); Nia Williams (shot put, 10.62m); Iwan Glynn (400m, 50.71 & 4x400m); Dafydd Jones (1500m steeplechase, 4.34.15).
Pembrokeshire Harriers in action were Ella Wintle, Joseph Reynolds, Tyree Thompson, Michael Jenkins and Dylan Phillips.
SIAB is set to return next July when English Schools welcome their Welsh, Irish and Scottish equivalents.
The busy end-of-season international matches come thick and fast at this time of year. The Welsh Athletics Outdoor Under-20 international was held in Cardiff last week, where Welsh teams went up against the likes of England South, England Midland, England North, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Guernsey.