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12/08/2024 00:00, I Mewn Blog / Track & Field /

Day One - Saturday 10 August

Day one of the Welsh Junior Athletics Championships saw some outstanding performances across the under-13, under-17 and under-20 age groups.

Athletes competing early in the day had to contend with a stiff breeze and fine driving rain, making conditions challenging before the clouds eventually moved away to leave the Swansea Bay Sports Park bathed in sunshine.

One of the most eagerly awaited finals of the day saw Aliyah Afolabi (Cardiff Archers) and Darcy Coslett (Llanelli Harriers) go head-to-head in the under-17 women’s 100m final.

Afolabi is the fastest under-15 athlete over 100m in the UK this year, while Coslett is the fastest under-17 over 400m and second fastest at 300m.

Both athletes had impressed on their way to the final which was fittingly run in glorious sunshine after the earlier rain.

And it was Afolabi who put on a show to match the weather as she streaked away from the rest of the field from the gun to win in a new personal best of 11.88.

Coslett claimed the silver medal in 12.31, while Macey Jones (West Chesire Athletics Club) was third in 12.84.

Afolabi and Coslett will go head-to-head once again on day two of the championships as both are entered in the 300m.

Earlier in the day, Wales’ outstanding young middle distance runner Libby Hale added yet more accolades to her name in what has been a brilliant season for the Swansea Harrier.

Hale, who now holds the Welsh 1500m records at every age group from under-13 up to under-20, smashed Non Stanford’s 20-year-old championship best record of 4:33.21 on her way to winning the under-17 women’s 1500m title.

The Welsh schools and senior champion led from the start with Rebecca Harriers (Cardiff Athletics) fighting valiantly to stay with the leader during the first 600m.

However, Hale started to pull away in the second half of the race and took the bell well ahead of the field before finally crossing the line in a new championship best of 4:28.17. Harries finished second in 4:41.88 with Chloe Hartley-Green third in 5:17.89.

Beca Haf Brown (Menai Track and Field) enjoyed an equally dominant win in the women’s under-20 1500m, clocking a winning time of 4:43.71

Max Evans (Maldwyn Harriers) ranked fourth in the UK over 100m having already won the Welsh schools title along with three gold medals at the SIAB international in Carmarthen, just missed out on a championship best time in the men’s under-17 100m final.

Trailing in the early stages, Evans went through the gears to surge through the field and win in 10.92, just outside the championship best of 10.87 set by Olympian Tim Benjamin in 1998.

Finnley Roynon (Cwmbran) took silver in 11.14 and Connor Dean (Colwyn Bay) earned bronze in 11.37.

In the field, Harrison Walsh (DSW Para Athletics) continued to put the finishing touches to his preparations for the Paralympics in Paris next month by competing alongside the under-20 men’s discus competitors.

The former Ospreys player, whose rugby career was cut short by an horrific injury, won bronze at the World Para Athletics Championships in Kobe earlier this year.

Competing on familiar ground in Swansea and throwing into the driving wind and rain during the early rounds, the F44 athlete steadily improved his performance throughout the competition, registering his best distance of 52.07m with his final throw of the afternoon. The winner of the under-20 competition was Eurion John (Cardiff Athletics) who recorded a best of 43.79m.

Owen Garrett (Yate and District AC), fresh from his exploits at the European Under-18 Athletics Championships in Slovakia, enjoyed a productive day on Saturday.

Garrett won the men’s under-17 discus with a best of 50.33m ahead of William Richards-Baldwin (Gloucester AC) with 39.91m and Gethin Brown (Deeside AAC) with 36.23.

The GB international also claimed gold in the under-17 shot put, posting a best of 14.33m as he once again finished ahead of Richards-Baldwin with 11.99m. The bronze was won this time by Harvey Thomas (Pembrokeshire Harriers) with 11.64m.

Richards-Baldwin had earlier won the under-17 hammer with a PB of 44.09m, ahead of Brown with 41.69m and Gabriel Evans (Rhondda AAC) with 30.20m.

The winner of the first field event of the day was Tomasi James Fidow (Wrexham AC) in the Under-13 boys shot put with a best distance of 9.22m achieved in the first round. Silver went to Charlie Arthur Edwards (Rhondda AAC) with a PB of 8.14m, ahead of Dylan Holmes (Cardiff Archers) also claiming a PB of 7.74m.

National Development Programme (NDP) athlete Sophie Lisk (Cardiff Archers), ranked fifth in the UK this year, won the first track title of the championships in the under-20 women’s final registering a season’s best 1:02.68.

Lisk, who competed at the UK Athletics Championships in Manchester earlier this season, ran from the front throughout the race to finish ahead of Lilly Noble (Deeside AAC) in 1:03.26 and Evie Atchison (Neath Harriers) 1:05.71.

Another NDP athlete, Ben Parker (Aberdare Valley AAC) was a comfortable winner in the under-20 men’s long jump, leaping out to 6.29m, putting him clear of Aharon Graham-Mulvaney (Cardiff Athletics) and Harry Collins (Swansea Harriers) with 5.27m.

The Under-20 women’s 100m final saw Jessica Mantle produce an excellent performance to win in 12.17 ahead of Jessica Lee (Carmarthen Harriers) in 12.35 and Olivia Gillespie (Newport Harriers) in 12.69.

Tiana Odugbesan (Cardiff Archers) was a convincing winner in the Under-17 women’s 300m hurdles final. As the weather conditions started to improve, the talented multi-eventer – taking on the event for the first time - crossed the line in 45.63.

The seated discus saw both Jac Sheehan (Carmarthen Harriers) (F34) and Ellie Bowen (DSW Para Athletics) (F56) claim new PBs. Sheehan registered 25.79m, whole Bowen returned 17.19m.

One of the most keenly contested races of the afternoon was the under-13 1500m final which saw a ding-dong battle between Elis Summers (Newport Harriers) and Osian Phillips (Cardiff Athletics). But it was Summers, who finally took gold in a new PB of 4:46.85, ahead of Phillips in 4:47.98. Lewis Durston (Bridgend Athletics) claimed bronze in a PB of 4:49.09.

The under-13 girls 1500m final saw Manon Fflur Phillips (Carmarthen Athletics) claim gold in 5:12.52 ahead of Ella Hayes (Deeside AAC) who claimed silver in a PB of 5:15.93. Isabella Peter (Newport Harriers) was third 5:17.12.

There was also a battle royale in the under-17 1500m final where Tomos Horn (Cardiff Athletics) and Thomas Loynes (Neath Harriers) were shoulder to shoulder as they sprinted down the home straight.

Loynes just managed to hit the front in the final few metres to take the title in 4:16.75, from Horn, who crossed in 4:17.20. Alfie Osborne (Cardiff Athletics) claimed bronze in 4:25.02.

Jack Organ (Brecon AC) ran a big new PB to win the Under-20 men 400m final in 48.81, edging out the fast-finishing Harrison Garcia (Swansea Harriers), who also clocked a PB of 49.64. Owen Jones (Cardiff Athletics) claimed bronze in 50.21.

Having impressively cruised through the rounds in the under-13 girls 100m, Moridiat Olagunju (Newport Harriers) claimed gold in the final, racing to victory in 13.22 ahead of Katriel Udoh (Swansea Harriers) in 13.36 and Somtochi Emenogu (Swansea Harriers) in 13.67.

The boys final saw Jacob Barnes (Cardiff Athletics) win convincingly in 12.47 ahead of Dylan Holmes (Cardiff Archers) in 13.35 and Carter Griffiths (Llanelli AAC) in 13.37.

The final track event of the day saw a brilliant men’s under-20 100m final which was up for grabs until the final few strides as Commonwealth Youth Games representative Joseph Berry (Newport Harriers) just took the honours in 10.89.

Marek Warzocha (Swansea Harriers) pushed Berry all the way as he claimed silver in 11.02 with William Hawker (Swansea Harriers) third in 11.04.

One of the last field events of the day – the women’s under-17 triple jump saw Olivia Scrimshaw (Deeside AAC), the number one ranked athlete in the discipline in the UK, put her stamp on the final.

Scrimshaw claimed gold with a leap of 11.91m, putting her well clear of Megan Taylor (Cardiff Archers) 10.59m and Lucy Jones (Wrexham AAC) 10.58m.

There were a number of other outstanding performances throughout the day, including Ruby Aherne (Cardiff Athletics) winning both the under-13 girls javelin with 18.60 and the discus with 20.67m.

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Day Two - Sunday 11 August

A record-breaking second day of the Welsh Junior Track and Field Championships in Swansea got off to a flying start thanks to brilliant young Llanelli sprinter Darcy Coslett.

Running in the first track event of the day – the under-17 women’s 300m heats, Coslett smashed the championship best and the Welsh national age group record.

The time of 38.67 surpassed the Welsh under-17 record of 38.78 set by Amelia Reynolds (Cardiff AAC) in 2015 and obliterated the championship best of 39.45 set by Eve Williams (Cwmbran Harriers) in 2014.

However, Coslett wasn’t finished yet. The final, later in the afternoon, saw the Welsh under-17 400m record holder, go even faster as she claimed the gold medal.

The clock stopped at a blistering 38.22 seconds as she took almost half a second off the time she had posted just a few hours earlier.

Taylor Shelmerdine (Swansea Harriers) claimed silver in a PB of 41.04, while Lucy Jones (Wrexham AAC) also celebrated a PB of 41.31 in third.

Coslett’s exploits seemed to inspire other athletes, particularly sprinters, into more record breaking feats.

Commonwealth Youth Games competitor Joseph Berry followed up his under-20 100m win on Saturday by taking the 200m title on Sunday in a new championship best and PB.

Berry’s winning time of 21.34, bettered that of 21.46 set by Jamie Henthorn (Carmarthen Harriers) in 1996. The silver medal went to Marek Warzocha (Swansea Harriers) in a PB of 21.74 with Joseph Franklin third in 22.19, also a PB. In fact, the first five finishers posted PBs.

There was another championship best and Welsh age group record in the under-13 boys 200m final.

Jacob Barnes (Cardiff Athletics) won gold in a time of 24.71, which surpassed the existing Welsh record of 24.94, which had been set at the junior championships by Arthur Powell (Maldwyn Harriers) in 2017.

The win completed a hugely successful weekend for Barnes who also claimed gold in the 100m and long jump finals. Second in the 200m was Dylan Holmes (Cardiff Archers) who enjoyed a PB of 26.51 with Sebastian Barnett (Cardiff Archers) third in a PB of 27.84.

Libby Hale (Swansea Harriers) who had run a championship best in winning the 1500m on Saturday, completed the middle distance double on Sunday by taking the 800m title and setting another championship best performance.

Hale also set a new PB of 2:09.14 as she won gold ahead of Rebecca Harries (Cardiff Athletics), who clocked 2:18.15 and Holly Humphreys in a PB of 2:18.63.

Not to be outdone, Thomas Loynes (Neath Harriers) emulated Hale’s double by adding the men’s under-17 800m title to the 1500m he won on Saturday.

Once again Loynes beat Tomos Horn (Cardiff Athletics) to the title. Loynes clocking 1:56.70 to Horn’s 1:59.41. Lucas Salvage (Newport Harriers) was third in 1:59.63.

There was another double gold for the outstanding young Welsh sprinter Aliyah Afolabli (Cardiff Archers), who had won the under-17 women’s 100m title in a new PB on Saturday afternoon.

On Sunday, Afolabi, the fastest under-17 sprinter over 100 and 200m in the UK this year, won the 200m in 24.27, ahead of Elana Murray (Cardiff Athletics) who posted a PB of 25.66 and Mercedes Anderson (Cardiff Athletics) who also ran a PB of 25.85.

The finals action on day two kicked off in the field where Spencer Jones (Wrexham AAC) won the under-13 boys javelin with a best of 29.25m. Efan Williams (Swansea Harriers) claimed silver with a PB of 26.06m, while Charlie Arthur Edwards (Rhondda AAC) also claimed a PB to finish third with 23.10m.

Meanwhile, the under-17 women’s hammer was being won by Evie Cooper (Neath Harriers) with a throw of 51.98m. Team-mate Amelia Mitchell was second with 46.90m and Violet Snelgrove (Swansea Harriers) third with 39.54m.

The under-20 women’s hammer was dominated by Amelia Fettis (Newport Harriers) who ensured her gold medal with a best of 48.92m, well clear of Abby Barnfield (Yate and District AC) with 42.05m and Ffion Mabey (Carmarthen Harriers) with 33.99m.

Macsen Martins Hughes (Cardiff Archers) produced a new PB of 12.74m to win the under-17 men’s triple jump, outdistancing Jake Alexander Rowlands (Menai Track and Field) with a PB of 12.22m and Cobie Phillips (Cardiff Archers) who also enjoyed a PB of 11.84m. The under-20 triple jump was won by Salem Mbimu-Kiambi (Cardiff Athletics) with a best of 12.91m.

Outstanding multi-eventer Matilda Quick (Swansea Harriers) won the women’s under-17 high jump with plenty to spare thanks to a height of 1.63m, ahead of Cari Jones (Maldwyn Harriers) in second place and Megan Taylor (Cardiff Archers) who both achieved 1.45m.

The first track final of the day – the men’s under-20 3,000m was won by Henry Evans (Newport Harriers) who clocked 8:56.52 to finish well clear of Finley Bruce (Carmarthen Harriers), who claimed a season’s best 9:06.60 and Joe Murphy (Brecon Athletic Club) in 9:30.35.

The ambulant para discus was won by Bree Cronin (Cardiff Athletics) with a best of 31.90m, while Joseph Symons (DSW Para Athletics) (F37) was second thanks to a new PB of 20.35m and, with Mia Lloyd (F63) third thanks to a season’s best 16.21m.

Lucy Harris (Swansea Harriers) the number three ranked under-20 discus thrower in the UK this year,  showed her class in comfortably winning the under-20 title at her home track with a best distance of 37.71m. Megan Brown (Deeside AAC) was second with 31.90m  and Ffion Mabey (Carmarthen Harriers) third with 31.16m.

There was a PB for Thomas Croft (Reading AC) as he won the under-17 men 100m hurdles by some distance in 13.77. Harvey Thomas (Pembrokeshire Harriers) was second in 14.94 and Isalas Balde (Cardiff Archers) third in a PB of 15.00.

Lilly Noble (Deeside AAC) also won the under-20 women’s 100m hurdles in a PB of 14.41, a whisker ahead of Sophie Lisk (Cardiff Archers) in 14.48 and Seren Redfern (Sales Harriers Manchester) who also claimed a PB in 15.58.

There was a clash of some of Wales’ top young multi-eventers in the final of the under-17 women 80m hurdles where Olivia Scrimshaw (Deeside AAC) took the honours in 11.67 from Matilda Quick (Swansea Harriers) who recorded a PB of 11.87 and Ava-Lexi Placide (Cardiff Athletics) in 12.12.

Scrimshaw gained her third gold of the championships in the under-17 women’s long jump, where she produced a winning jump of 5.81m – having won the triple jump the previous day.

Quick would go on to win the under-17 women’s shot put with a best distance of 12.92m.

In the under-13 boys 800m time trials, Elis Summers (Newport Harriers) followed up his win in the 1500m on Saturday by winning the 800m time trial on Sunday in a new PB of 2:17.53. Gwen Hayes (Deeside AAC) won the girls two lap time trial in a PB of 2:34.10.

Great Britain international Owen Garrett (Yate and District AC) followed up his two gold medals on the first day of competition by adding the men’s under-17 javelin title with a winning distance of 49.00m, placing him well ahead of Joshua Livesey-Hambridge (Newport Harriers) with 39.59m and Jack O’Keefe (Cardiff Athletics) with 30.20m.

Like Harrison Walsh the day before Funmi Oduwaiye (DSW Para Athletics) used the competition to help sharpen up for the Paris Paralympics which begin in two weeks.

The GB star produced a best of 11.35m competing in the shot put competition alongside the under-20 women where Lucy Harris (Swansea Harriers) followed up her discus win by taking the title with a best of 9.55m.

Anna-Rose Marchant (Cardiff Athletics) produced a PB to win the women’s under-20 800m in 2:11.79. Lilly Grace Oakenfull (Newport Harriers) was second in 2:17.75 and Daisy Anderson (Swansea Harriers) third in 3:36.62.

Jack Organ (Brecon Athletic Club) followed up his 400m triumph by winning a close under-20 men 800m final in 1:56.17, just pipping Rhys Llewellyn Pembrokeshire Harriers), who ran a PB of 1:56.88 and Leo Stark (Newport Harriers) 2:04.32.

The women’s under-20 200m saw the top two medallists run new PBs. Olivia Gillespie (Newport Harriers) claimed the title in 25.24, finishing just ahead of Millie Webb (Cardiff Athletics).

Meanwhile, the men’s under-17 200m final saw all three medallist post new bests. Finnley Roynon (Cwmbran Harriers) was the clear winner in 21.79, while Connor Dean (Colwyn Bay) claimed silver in 22.40 and Lewis Barnes (Cardiff Athletics) third in 22.60.

The last event of a hugely successful two days saw Moridiat Olagunju (Newport Harriers) competed the under-13 girls sprint double by winning the 200m in 26.71 ahead of Sophie Piddington (Newport Harriers) in a PB of 27.76 and Leela Wilson (Bridgend Athletics) in a PB of 28.60.

RESULTS