Young Chichester athletes show spirit – even Sir Mo is impressed
4x300m relays.
In the U15 boys’ events, one of only two double A and B string wins of the day came from Ben Stewart and Harry Clarke in the 300m, with times of 40.6 and 41.6.
Stewart and Harry Dunne took runners-up spots in the 800m and had the same result in the shot put. Clarke did the high jump and partnered Daniel Eliis in the 200m where both notched PBs. Ellis had earlier won the 80m hurdles in a new PB of 13.3sec, edging out a Portsnouth rival by a tenth of a second.
Supporting Ellis was Kai Lendrum, winning the B string, running a quick 1500m and backing up Keiran Mogridge in the javelin.
Showing great team spirit, Stewart, Dunne, Clarke and Mogridge gave a sterling performance in the 4x300m relay for third place in a excellent time just outside three minutes.
Chichester’s under-13s are a team in transition with the majority of last year’s squad having moved up into the U15s.
Max Gayle showed great form as runner-up in the hurdles and made his mark in the 150m and long jump. Joe Stewart won the B string hurdles and did well in 1200m and 150m while Finley Basford showed great determination in the 1200m, shot and long jump.
Four of the seven under-13 girls in action are still in the primary age group and the squad performed with great credit. Anna Wyatt spearheaded the sprints supported well by Sofia Hollands and Maya Stair over 75m and 150m respectively with Stair supporting Annabella Hollands over 800m.
Isla Pearson and Isabella Lendum ran well over 1200m and teamed up in the long jump while Lendrum supported Mia Hollands for good points in the 70m hurdles.
What exemplified the spirit of the Chichester squad was shown in the shot and javelin where Miai, Annabella and Sofia Hollands and Maya Stair, all from Walberton and Binstead Primary School, made sure events were covered – then tackled the 4x100m relay. Their reward? A selfie with Sir Mo Farah, there to support his twin daughters who were in one of the Surrey teams.