ESAA Track & Field Championships - Senna makes history on amazing weekend for Blyth

Often regarded as the peak of junior athletics, the ESAA Track and Field Championships, with over 2000 athletes, and thousands in the grandstands at the Alexander stadium, provided a memorable weekend for Team Blyth athletes representing their county at a scorching Birmingham. Activities started on Thursday, as our 9 athletes who had been selected to represent Northumberland (7), Durham (1) and Cleveland (1), travelled on their respective team coaches down to Birmingham for an overnight stay ahead of the commencement of track and field action on Friday.

Day 1 - Friday
Sprint Hurdles action kicked off the weekend, with Faith and Katy going in the inter girls 100m hurdles. This was an incredibly competitive event, with both girls knowing they would likely need to PB to progress to the final. Faith produced a consistent run into a strong headwind, with her time just outside of 15s not being enough to progress. Katy also had to work hard into the wind, but was able to get within 2 tenths of her PB with 14.79, but just failed to qualify.
Didi Ojigbani was making her debut at the these champs, and acquitted herself superbly in her 100m heat, running one of her fastest ever times as she gained valuable experience and will no doubt be back next year. Out in the field, Ben Compton looked to build on his bronze medal from last year, but it was always going to be tough as he was at the lower end of his age group, throwing a heavier implement than is normal due to peculiarities with the age group changes. Nonetheless, he secured a 9th place finish with a best of 48.38m. Fearne was also looking to build on her superb debut last year, and in an incredibly tight field just missed out on the top eight by 21cm, with a best throw of 47.07m. 

Back on track, it was Luke Pichler's moment to step onto the start line in the senior 110m hurdles. This was to be his final ESAA race, and Luke wanted to go out in style - and he did just that! He produced a stunning run from the outside lane and produced a committed final run to the line to snatch bronze by 0.01s with a time of 14.89s (-2.5m/s). After heartbreak last week at England Champs, this was the perfect response and capped a stunning ESAA career for Luke. Senna concluded day 1, and she was also in her final ESAA Championships with one goal in mind - to become champion. She lined up knowing that she would need to beat the athlete that had pipped her to a medal the previous week at England Champs, and she learned from her experience there to produce and incredible final hurdle and run to the line to secure the English Schools Senior 400m hurdles title in 62.81s. There were tears of joy from Senna as she became the clubs first ever ESAA Champion in an individual event. 

Day 2 - Saturday
A quieter day on Saturday for individual events, but we had relays and athletes parades and fantastic action in the track and field to look forward to. Hollie-Anne Sudder was first up on track in the 200m, with it being a huge achievement just to be on the start line after a rehab from injury. She finished a strong 6th in her 200m heat in the senior girls commpetition. Bella Rose was making her ESAA debut in the junior girls hammer, and provided one of the best performances of the weekend, although it ultimately ended in heartbreak. She produced an incredible series of throws, with each one being bigger than the last. In the final round she launched the hammer out to 43.10m, her 2nd best throw ever - however this was just 11cm shy of the mdeals, and Bella had to settle for 4th place. Despite the understandable disappointment, Bella should be so proud of her performance!  In the relays, Didi was in the junior girls mixed relay for Northumberland, whilst Senna handed over to Luke in the senior mixed relay, although neither team was able to make the final. Finally on Saturday evening, after relentless sunshine and +30 degrees temperatures, it was time for the long journey home. Memories were made, new friendships were forged, and hopefully the desire to continue to work hard and develop as athletes was reinforced.