PB’s and team spirit galore at YDL Upper at Horspath, Oxford – 29th April 2018
The Hillingdon AC YDL Upper team did so well at their first fixture this is the second report we’ve received! Thanks Geoff Bayles!
Hillingdon AC travelled to Oxford for the first match of the season with a reasonably strong team.
Many athletes were not available due to forthcoming exams just around the corner but that did not stop the athletes that did travel in picking up numerous PB`s and SB`s throughout the day. Freezing conditions did not help but the athletes turned up the heat with some very rewarding performances.
Victory was obvious right from the start of the meeting and the team won by 210 points from 2nd placed team Vale of Aylesbury. With so many PB`s recorded I won`t name everyone but just to highlight that team spirit carried the athletes to personal triumphs.
FEMALE
The female sprinters, Amelia Daley, Nana Adjei, Emily Colyer, Simone Russell and Lauryn Dennis all achieved PB`s and picked up useful points for the team.
Clara Higgs winning the 800m and star performer, Keady Heanen, running both the 1500m and 3000m for the
first time and also a leg of the 4×300 relay was kept busy on the track in difficult conditions.
Jamie Hogan running both Hurdle events in PB times and also ran legs in both relays was another star performer.
The Jumpers picked up close to maximum points, Amelia Daley taking two first places in Long and Triple.
The Throwers were not far off taking maximum points either. Kacey Laird taking part in three events, Grace Westbrook also took part in three events and helped out the team by competing in her first track event for the club with a leg in the 4×300. Holly Hall a superb win in the Javelin.
Both relay teams placed second.
Amy Hillier placed well in the 100m, 200m and 400m and backed up by Simone Russell and Elizabeth Brooks
200m/ 400m.
Ambra Neason another star performer placing first in High, Long and Triple Jumps.
Solid throwing by Emily Wilcock in all four throws gaining big points for the team.
MALE
The Sprinters ran extremely well, Ben Brownlee achieved two 2nd places in the 100m and 200m. Andre Rai PB for first in 400m backed up with a win for Tariq Arieff in the B event.
Solid distance performances by Max and Ross McGarvie, Adam Ireland 1500m/3000m, Josh Lee 1500m/3000m.
The Hurdles set PB`s or just missed out by fractions with great efforts by Monty and Rhys in the 400H.
Rahul Anand ran the 1500m Steeplechase for the first time and was cheered all the way.
The Throwing team of Ben Hooley Shot Put and Javelin, and Rahul Shot Put and Discus all picked up good points.
Two wins by both relay teams showed they were too strong for the opposition.
A fine double by Louis Southwell 200m and 400m backed up by Tashan Allman winning the 400m and two good times by Monty 100m/200m.
Aaron Hall had a good run to win the 1500m.
Aaron Connell and Dean Gabriel-Ojo took valuable points in the Throws.
Olu Akinseye was superb taking three wins in the Shot Put, Discus and Hammer and a third in the Javelin backed up by Mayank Mishra winning the B Discus and Dean winning the B Javelin.
Two strong runs in the relays completed a fantastic win overall.
It wasn`t about PB`s on the day although many set PB`s and SB`s. It was more about winning as many points
as possible to help go into the second match of the series later in May. Team Spirit was certainly there and it wasgreat to be there to witness it.
It was a shame that some of the events had so few athletes competing but at the end of the day you can only try to beat who is there on the day.
Well done to all who took part and the Officials who ran the events, without you this match could not take place.
Geoff Bayles – Hillingdon AC Endurance Coach.
