News: August 2022

Two SNHAC athletes were in action in at the SEAA U17/15 Championships in Chelmsford at the weekend. U15 Georgia Sutcliffe competing in the 300m, in her first year in the age group, recorded 45.63 in her heat. U17 Annabel Howells competing in the 400m, ran 60.20 to win her heat on Saturday. Sunday a personal best of 58.87 secured the bronze medal.

A fantastic performance from twenty of SNHAC’s Vets, Seniors, U20 and U17 athletes saw the team finish second in challenging conditions at Woodford on Saturday. Ipswich/ Colchester 250, SNHAC 159, Woodford 147 and London Heathside 131.

Thanks firstly go to Jane and Barry who set up camp early in the only tree, shaded area at the stadium which ensured athletes could retreat to cover between events, secondly to Alan Ephgrave who arrived early and weighed and set up all the throws trolley’s for Woodford, who were short of a Technical Ref and thirdly to every athlete on the team who stepped up, kept going and never gave up, in what was a war of attrition rather than an athletic match due to the heat. Alan, Jane and Bob endured two and a half hours in full sun (temperatures reaching 36 degrees) to cover two long throws. A special mention to Lee Ann Wannerton for enduring a field full of potholes to help out with the women’s discus. First Aid were kept busy all day as officials succumbed to the climbing temperatures.

This was a double fixture with six Division 3 Clubs, some of whom brought no Officials and the track over ran by an hour and a quarter.

Notable performances came from U17 Isaac Whitten who took on senior/U20 athletes in the 3k steeplechase and won, Rhys Samuel who stepped out of his comfort zone to back up Isaac in the 400m, Steve Mayfield stepping in at the last minute to run the B 200m, a spirited finish from Chris Westcott in the 1500m gained 3rd, Adam Searle was supported by Barry Mainstone in the 3000m and then backed up Barry in the shot and hammer. Ed Laws picked up two second places and ran both relays. Dylan Baines competed in 6 events with the best performance being 12m49 TJ for second, Bobby Pitman stepped in to cover the B triple jump, winning with 11m38, also winning the B PV. Thanks to Jake Sutton who came to do three events and had to leave to go to work before his main event started and Tyler Wannerton who came later in the day to cover the 1500m and a leg of the mixed 4x400m relay.

Shannon Rapacchi covered 5 events plus two relays, winning the 100H, sprinter Madeleine Hurley stepped up to run the 1500m along with Andrea Westcott who covered B 100, 200 and 800m, Chris Feely finished a day which included 800 and 1500m, with the 1500 SC and a second place finish. Aimie Taylor has a great day which included one A and two B wins including the B 1500m Steeple Chase. Libby Taylor was supported by Alisha Levy and Dani Mainstone in the throws.

A lovely team spirit made this event a delight to manage, in spite of the conditions.

Norma Harris Team Manager

U20 Jessica Astill anchored the 4x400m relay team to the bronze medal in the U20 World Championships in Columbia on Friday. Boxed and in sixth place coming off the bend, a storming final 100m brought the team into third place behind the Americans and the Jamaicans. This rounds of a very successful first year as an U20 for Jess.

With only 8 athletes available due to holidays and injury the Club’s U17/U20 athletes competed in as many events as possible at the home YDL fixture on Sunday. Helped by good conditions they recorded 8 A string and 1 B string win between them. U17 Isaac had a clean sweep in his three events winning the 3000m, 1500 SC and the HJ (PB 1m60). Bobby Pitman won the DT and B string Javelin. Jacob Haynes won his SP (PB 8m41) and was second in his 400m. Tom Rutter won the A Javelin (52m99). The two U17 girls both recorded PB’s in their events. Ezinne Obih 100 (2nd) and 200m in 13.59 and 29.27 along with Kachi Dike’s 23m69 second placed Javelin. U20 Ed Laws won his 200m 24.06 and Jake Sutton the 110 hurdles 16.28 PB. The U20 Boys won their 4x400 relay where Ed, Jake and Isaac were joined by Alex Pickard who came away from his photo finish duties to run a leg of the race. The U20 boys were second in the 4x100m where Ed and Jake were joined by U17’s Bobby and Jacob.
Many thanks to the Club Officials and Volunteers who not only ran the match but covered for two Clubs who brought no Officials!