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YAL Report

On Sunday 18^th July 2010, the Lancaster and Morecambe AC Young Athletes League squad set out for Ellesmere Port in Cheshire, for their final fixture of the 2010 season, where they would be competing against athletes from Bingley AC and local rivals Ribble Valley.

With the club lying second in the league the main aim for the athletes in this particular match was to put in a solid performance, which they could build on, as they aim for promotion to the Northern Premier Division next year.

The squad rose to the challenge well, recording over 35 personal bests and 12 national standard performances, despite the treacherous swirling winds and constant rain that remained throughout the match.

The U13s squad performed ably, and produced the athlete of the match in Ben Roberts for his performance in the 1500m, having also run the 100m and 200m earlier in the day. Ben was supported in the 1500m by Niall Graham, who also gained a PB, whilst in the field, there was a tight battle between Nathan Slack and George Tostevin in the long jump, another fine putt from Jordan Lynch in the Shot, and a solid performance by our very own Daley Thompson- Nathan Beamer, who competed in the sprint hurdles, shot putt and 800m; a wide ranging combination!

Not to be outdone by the boys, the U13 girls put in some of the best performances of the day, with Amber Horiben and Millie Corless both gaining PBs in the 800m whilst sprinters Miriam Jiagbogu and Chloe Hicks put in equally as impressive performances in the 75m and 150m, and went on the forge part of the relay team. As always, Molly Newton- O’Brien and Allana Jones were strong in the hurdles, with Allana recording her best ever run, of 16.5 seconds.

Despite the conditions, it was PBs galore in the U15 age group, with new comers Jutinder Busi and Dan Towers both recording sound 100m times. As per usual, the Scott brothers: Isaac and Rafi, worked hard and both gained 2 PBs apiece for their efforts (Isaac in the 800m and Javelin, Rafi in the 1500m and Long Jump.) Isaac was pipped to the win in the 800m by an athlete who must be the find of the season, Joe Bywater, and Joe later went on to win the 400m too; a race in which Lancaster occupied the first two places, with Jordan Wright finishing in 2^nd. Harry Modley was another race winner, in the 1500m, and the team was completed by throws specialist, Tom Nolan-Barnes, who represented the club in Javelin, Shot and Discus.

The large U15 girls contingent, meant that some athletes in the category had the luxury of being able to focus on just one event. Mary Hodgson, was one of these athletes, and she capitalized on the opportunity, beating her previous PB by 5 seconds. PBs were also achieved by Zoe Lynch, and English Schools Sprinter Maxine Meju in the shot, whilst Alice Tidswell, fresh from competing in Holland the previous week, leapt to a PB of 1.30m in the high jump, as did our other high jumper, Alex Walker. Back on the track, Paige Clinton got the better of Sarah Bell by less than a second in the 800m, and all rounder Chloe Bryan completed a tiring day, running in both sprints, and the 1500m. Sally Stott produced her best ever throw in the discus, and also competed in the javelin, bolstering the age group’s total points score.

The depleted U17 Women’s squad featured just three athletes, yet nevertheless, they all performed admirably, with Holly Nelson, competing in her last Young Athletes League gaining a PB in the hurdles, and gaining a national standard in the shot putt. Sarah Hodgson completed a long distance double, winning the 3000m and 1500m, whilst Christina Bell gained a PB of 28.6 in the 200m. The pair then met in the 300m at the end of the day, with Christina just prevailing.

The U17 Mens squad dominated the distance, events, with Callum Mason and Luke Hodgson gaining 1^st and 2^nd respectively in the 3000m and Beau Smith winning the 1500m, plus unexpectedly the hammer throw as well! Adam Bateson gained PBs in all three of his events: Javelin, 800m and 400m Hurdles, whilst James Whitaker and his namesake James Whittaker gained 4 PBs between them. With ‘One T’ Whitaker gaining them in the 100 and 400m hurdles and ‘Double T’ Whittaker gaining them in the 1500m and 400m. In the jumps, typically, Alex Gardner gained valuable points for the team, and Sinclair Aranju excelled in the short sprint events.

Hopefully with the new set of U13s coming through next season, the side can build on the foundations they have laid this year, and gain promotion. As well as saying goodbye to Holly Nelson, Isobel Rawlinson, Beau Smith, Callum Mason, Adam Bateson and Luke Hodgson, who move up to the U20 age group next season, the team must also say goodbye for now to team manager Diane Lynch due to increased work commitments. Diane was a great asset to the club and knew every athlete as an individual. She recognised everyone’s achievements and has coached a large number of the younger athletes in a variety of events throughout the last five seasons, to what we hope will be future success and enjoyment. She will be sorely missed, but we wish her luck and hope one day we will see her return. Thank you!