Six qualify for UK Championships
On the 11th, 17th and 18th January, the Lanfranc based athletes began the winter season in earnest. Having done a couple of low key Sportshall matches in Guildford and trained with their clubs, in the school fitness suite and the elite training sessions on Friday, our athletes were in better shape than ever. Thus we went to Lee Valley for the South of England Championships in great heart, with some experienced athletes and some for whom it was their first real taste of competition.
Day 1
Ladies team captain, Shanice Harrison (South London Harriers) opened up with her main event, the 300m. She controlled her heat to win comfortably and then ran a controlled semi final in a new personal best (PB) of 42.12 to qualify for the final. There was only a second and half spread between all the finalists. Shanice was well placed when the others broke from their lanes. Sadly she was barged and had her heels clipped – that was the end of her race. She finished a disappointed 6th place. Such was the quality of the race that her time qualifies her for the UK Indoor Championships.
Novice 800m runner, Femi Agbetoyin, competing in school colours, became South of England champion in only his fifth 800m race. His time of 2min 13sec was outside the UK qualifier time, but England Athletics have hinted that they will accept his entry as the Southern Champion. Femi gave a brave performance; his inexperience led him to go far too quickly at the start and it was a grim job of hanging on to win. This lack of pace judgment cost him a really fast time, but there is much more to come!
Day 2
With an injured men’s team captain, Khalil Ngoya (Herne Hill Harriers), sat in the stands, one potential medal slipped away. However the female throwers all performed to a good standard. Chioma Obi-Adewole (SLH) finished 5th and her sister Iyani (SLH) finished 8th with a big PB in the Under 17 Shot event. In her first competition of any significance whatsoever, Tamara Reid finished 6th in the Under 15 Shot, with a massive PB. Tamara competed in school colours.
Taiwo Kamoju (Croydon Harriers) lined up for the Under 15 boys 200m. Taiwo was competing in his first Regional Championship and running on the boards for the first time. In addition to being inexperienced at indoor racing, Taiwo is a ‘leggy’ runner. As he came off the bend he could not control his line and stepped outside his lane. As a result, he was disqualified. The time he set was the third fastest from the heats and semis, which added to his disappointment.
Javari Cameron (Croydon Harriers) competed in the Under 17 Long Jump, having already qualified for the UK Indoor Champs in the Triple Jump. Javari finished a creditable 4th in his B string event with a jump of 6m 06.
Shanice Harrison rounded off Day 1 with the 200m. Her experience from last year allowed her to run controlled heats and semis and yet again to reach a major final. Shanice finished a good 4th place in a very high quality field and qualified for a second event at the UK Indoor Championships.
Day 3
The day began with Simi Obi- Adewole (South London Harriers) winning a Silver medal in his first competition in the Under 15 Shot, with a new personal best.
Taiwo Kamoju bounced back from the disappointment of the day before, to compete in the 60m event. He looked impressive in winning his heat and then finishing a good second in his semi-final. Taiwo went on to place a very fourth in the final, in his B string event and setting a new personal best in every round. His time in the final was well inside the qualifying time for the UK Indoor Championships.
Joshua Thompson (Croydon Harriers), a first year Under 17 Triple Jumper, was also in his first regional championship and only in his fifth Triple Jump competition. Joshua is a great prospect and he jumped a massive new pb of 12m40 for 5th place. His jump will probably be good enough to get him into the UK Championships as well.
At Croydon Harriers, they call Cameron Smith the ‘Postman’ because he always delivers in the big races. In the best quality field of the day and with a huge field, Cameron came through for a well earned Bronze medal. He dominated his heat and Semi and set new PB’s in each race, culminating with yet another PB of 7.08 in the final. His time is well inside the qualifying time for the UK Championships, where Cameron will be one to watch.
The strength in depth of the squad was most pleasing. Success at major championships is usually measured in top six placings. To have 10 athletes from one school at regional level is again a significant achievement. To have 6 qualifiers from one school at National Championships is a significant achievement. My congratulations to all our athletes.
S. Knight
Team Manager and Coach