MICHAEL SET FOR THE OFF AFTER STATES STAY
Sunderland Harrier Michael Wilson will shortly return home a much improved athlete after completing his athletics’ scholarship at New Mexico State University in the USA.
To signify that improvement, he won the 1500m (3.46.80) in the Mountain West Championships to qualify for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) preliminary rounds this weekend.
He has qualifications in both the 1500m and 800m, but is leaning towards the metric mile. If he makes further progress and qualifies for the next stage, the former Birmingham University student will then compete in the National Championships at Austin, Texas on June 7/8.
As well as graduating with a MSC in Sport Administration, he has broken a Sunderland Harriers club record that has stood for years.
The record he has broken this year was the 400m (48.79). The previous record (48.8) has belonged to Nicholas Watson since 1993.
The Seaham athlete has also set PB’s over the middle distances with a 800m of 1.48.77 and 1500m (3.43.96), during his stay in the States.
He will back home in Sunderland around the 14th of June and then have a short break before preparing for the British Championships. He will do a year’s teacher training in physical education from September.
Houghton Harriers promising youngster, Henry Johnson, has moved to number two on the UK Under-17 rankings for 800m. He shattered his previous best (1.54.8) in the British Milers’ Club Regional races at Chester-le Street on Monday. He clocked 1.52.19 after going through halfway in 55seconds and finishing ahead of Gateshead Harrier Matthew Linsley (1.52.99) and Birtley’s Adrian Bailes (1.53.59).
Other Houghton Harriers who recorded PB’s were Under-20 Eva Hardie (2.20.54), Under-17 Nicole Phillips (2.21.35) and Anna Pigford (2.22.35) plus Under-13 Thomas Pigford ( 2.39.02).
Sunderland Harrier Under-15 Dillon Revell clocked a PB of 2.11.89.
In the first North East Masters Athletics League at Monkton on Monday, there were some good performances from Sunderland Harriers and Houghton Harriers.
There was an exciting finish to the 3000m where the City of Sunderland Half Marathon winner, Elvet Strider Over-35 Stephen Jackson, won in a time of 9.21.0, Hartlepool Burn Road Harrier Simon Bennett was second (9.24.8) and he was followed by the other Over 35s in Sunderland Harriers Kevin Jeffress (9.28.8) and Michael Barker (9.27.7). Over-50 Michael Thompson was seventh (9.43.8).
Houghton Harrier Over-50 David Gibson won heat two in 12.03.4 and his clubmate Over-55 David Gribben was third in heat three (11.10.6).
Houghton’s Over-35 Tom Atkinson was the second fastest sprinter overall recording 12.7 and Steve Todner was the best Over-65 with 13.9.