U20 International, EA Combined Events, Tartan Games & NEGP Reports

It was a busy week of Track and Field across the UK, with our athletes in action in a variety of events. Here is how the weekend unfolded.
 
On Wednesday, three of our juniors took on the NEGP over 800m. Geroge Bryce continued his fantastic season with another huge PB of 2:12.66. Elliot Summers was just outside of his PB, whilst Charlie Dixon set a new PB of 2:47.27. On Saturday, 3 of our athletes arrived at Eton, probably the further south they have ever competed! Sadie Parker was making her first appearance in an international event – competing as an invited guest in the long jump in the U20 international. Competing against athletes an age group above, she acquitted herself superbly and finished 4th, although was not able to hit the distances set in recent weeks. Hannah (U17 Heptathlon) and Luke (U17 Decathlon) started their campaigns in the England Athletics Combined Events Championships. For Hannah, day 1 yielded a series of solid performances, and finished with a strong 200m where she was fastest of all. Sadly Hannah withdrew early on day 2 due to a slight injury concern, but can be proud to have been positioned strongly near the top of the standings up to that point. Luke went through the full range of ups and downs, coming out as top points scorer in his favoured events the long jump, hurdles and also in the high jump where he set a new PB of 1.87m. Alongside this, some events didn’t bring the points haul expected, with the throws a little down on his usual standard. Despite this, Luke was going well in medal contention heading into event number 8 the pole vault. Sadly this was where his competition would come to a competitive end – as he did not clear his opening height. Luke bravely carried on in the Javelin but sadly any chance of the podium was now gone – a tough weekend.
 
On Sunday, there were some fantastic performances from our juniors at the Tartan Games at Gateshead. Aman was just outside her PB in both the 75m hurdles and long jump with some strong performances. Amber Wright went in the girls high jump, with a best of 1.45m for 2nd place. It was a fine day for Hollie-Anne Sudder, starting with a solid 4.78m in the long jump. She then ran her fastest ever 100m with a windy 12.75m, before setting a big hurdles PB as she dipped until 13s for the first time with a new PB. Izabela was also competing in 3 events, setting an equal PB in the high jump, and was just outside her PB in the hurdles and long jump. A note also to Alfie Ward, a previous Team Blyth junior and now a senior – he took part in the Scottish National Champs Long Jump on Sunday, jumping his equal longest jump ever of 6.85m(w) in a competition of the highest standard.