The England Athletics Combined Events Championships took place over the weekend in Sheffield, with 4 of our athletes going up against the best multi-eventers from all over the UK.
Luke Pichler began the U17 Heptathlon on Saturday morning, and scorched to a new PB of 7.39s. Next up was the long jump, which yielded solid points before a new personal best in the shot put of 10.78m. Luke finished the day with a really strong high jump that left him in 5th place after day 1.
Meanwhile, Senna Gorvett, Sadie Parker and Hannah Wilson embarked on their U17 Pentathlon. in a strong field of 33 athletes, it was hurdles up first with all 3 girls going in the same heat. Hannah produced a superb run on her debut in U17 hurdles to take the club record with 9.18s. Sadie recovered from a mid-race wobble to record a really solid time, whilst Senna knocked over half a second off her PB to cap a sensational start to the day. High jump was next, with both Sadie and Senna making crucial 3rd time clearances at 1.50m. Hannah continued her stunning start to the day by setting a new outright club record of 1.62m, at the 3rd attempt. Shot put followed, and this time it was Senna in PB form as she recorded 9.28, whilst Sadie was just outside her PB and Hannah was not quite able to deliver her best.
The energy and adrenalin was starting to fade as the long jump commenced, with Sadie looking to make up ground in her strongest event. She produced a solid 5.29m, but expected more. After a shaky start, Senna worked it our in the final round at add crucial points, whilst Hannah leapt to a new PB of 5.12, to keep in the medal hunt. The 800m concluded the event. Senna produced a superbly paced run to secure a seasons best time, and finished in 25th place with 2889pts, a big overall PB. Sadie delivered her best performance of the day, front-running the 800m at a scintillating pace, only tiring in the last 150m. She finished 9th overall with a total of 3261pts, and missed out on the Northern podium by just 3pts. Hannah’s 800m went out at a slower pace, and despite a scintillating last lap she was not quite able to challenge the overall podium. Her points total of 3279 was a huge PB, and enough for 5th place overall, and Silver in the Northern competition.
On Sunday, Luke continued his heptathlon, and he started in fine style with a very strong hurdles run that was 2nd fastest overall, moving Luke up towards medal contention. Next up was pole vault, a whole new experience for Luke in combined events competition. He progressed superbly through the heights, adding a huge 30cm to his PB. This set Luke up superbly heading into the final event - the 1000m. The stresses and strains of 2 days of competition were starting to show, and despite giving it his all, niggles appeared in the final laps and Luke was not able to run to his potential. He finished in overall 5th place, and took Northern Silver. A stunning performance. Thanks to Rob Wilson for his support of the athletes all weekend.
England Athletics Combined Events Results
Lauren Creaby can feel rightly proud to have been selected to represent the North East at the British Athletics Cross-Challenge in Loughborough on Saturday. However, there was heartbreak as an unfortunate toe injury ruled her out of the event just hours before it was due to begin. We know you will bounce back soon Lauren!
At our local parkruns,Grace Thompson was in great form again at South Beach, with Oliver Dunn setting another new PB with a time of 22:23. At Whitley Bay,Frankie took 1st place with 7:47, whilst Liliana was 6th in a great time of 8:44. with Jack Irving 39th.
South Beach Results
Whitley Bay Results
CROP TOPS & CLUB VESTS
Diane Creaby has very kindly taken on the role of managing club vests and crop tops. If you wish to order/purchase one, please get in touch with her!
Diane’s contact number is 0772 8983541
Remember, we also have our very own range of Team Blyth Nike training kit, available via our Kitlocker store (details further down newsletter)
This weeks reporters:
Parkrun - Claire.
Other news - Dan
Photos - Ross
A reminder that membership fees for 2023 are now due, details further down the newsletter.
We would love to have new contributors to the newsletter - this can be things like sourcing event info, more detailed race/event reports, and any other content that may be great to go in the newsletter. As it stands the newsletter rarely goes out on time, and is in danger of finishing entirely without new contributors. Contact Dan if you can help!
