News round-up 6th-10th January - What a week!

​2024 has started with a bang for Team Blyth, with lots of exciting Cross-Country and Indoor action to report on. On the 6th January, a large team of Blyth juniors took on the Sherman Cup at Temple Park, prioritising XC over the local football derby! Ethan Hughes continued his great form with 11th place in the  U11 boys race, with Richard Gormley scoring a top 20 finish, Michael McPherson a fine 29th just ahead of James Dunning in 34th. Casey McPherson produced a strong run in the U11 girls race, finishing in the top 40. James Floyd ran from the fast pack in the U13 boys race, finishing in an excellent 14th place.  Goerge Bryce has one of his best XC results for the club – finishing in 10th place in the U15 race, whilst Jasmine Krzysiak was a strong 28th in the U15 girls race. Its been great to see such a fantastic turn-out at XC this season – lets keep this going!
 
Also on the 6th, Caitlin Creaby travelled to Grangemouth in Scotland for the historic Powderhall New Year Sprint. These are a series of “professional” handicapped races where prize money is on offer. Caitlin started the day by progressing through the rounds in the 90m youth handicap, and she finished 6th in the final earning a £20 prize. Her focus, however, was on the 200m handicap – and she produced a superb display to storm through and take the win and the £100 top prize. Brilliant!
 
Also over the weekend, 3 of our Team Blyth Juniors were invited to attend England Athletics pre-Talent Pathway training days at National Performance Institute in Loughborough. Hannah and Luke (High jump) and Sadie (Long jump) all had the opportunity to work with their peers and learn and develop in an exciting environment. It was a very productive weekend and a great experience for our athletes
 
On Wednesday, our squad of juniors descended on Gateshead college for the latest indoor open meet as we build towards indoor championship season. Alex Robson-Lamb set new PB’s in the shot put and 60m, whilst Alfie Ward ran sub-7.5 in the 60m. Aman set a 3kg shot put PB, and was 2nd in her hurdles heat. Amber produced and electric start in her hurdles, as she continued her prep for Northern Champs, whilst Caitlin fresh from her New Year Sprint win produced a solid 60m. Fearne equalled her PB in the 60m, and set a new best in the shot put, whilst there was a massive shot put PB for Hollie-Anne and a pair of solid 60m runs. India Gorvett continued to build and develop in the shot put and hurdles with consistent runs, whilst Isla made her U17 hurdles debut and she set a fantastic benchmark of 10.27s. Luke broke the U17 club record in the Pole Vault with a huge 3.20m, whilst Millie Train produced a fine series in the triple jump, culminating in a massive new club record of 10.82m. Oscar equalled his PB with 6.36m in the shot put, whilst Sadie’s 9.28m was a solid start to her 2024 in the shot put with a lot more to come. Senna was in superb form, and just a fraction off her PB’s in the shot put and hurdles, whilst Talia made her Gateshead indoors debut, setting PB’s in the shot put and 60m.