First outing for Young Athletes
Wednesday 11 May 2011
The first round of the UK Young Athletes' League was held on Sunday last, 8th May, at Cheltenham.
Cardiff's team, suffering from absentees and withdrawals, came third behind hosts Cheltenham and Carmarthen.
Considering that 49 positions remained unfilled, this was a great performance by all, with great commitment to the cause, most athletes doing three or even four events.
Pictured (running cross country) is Elliot Slade who won both the 800m and 1,500m in the under 17 age group.
Several best performances were set and the team included six new club athletes. Noteworthy was George Griffiths' three wins in the 100m, 200m and long jump, the latter with a personal best leap of 6.23m which places him second in the latest UK under 15 rankings.
Despite the disappointing final position, it was a very enjoyable day's athletics and thanks also go to Graham Webb (timekeeping) and Alan Garrison (field judging).
With three more rounds to go, team managers Andrew Seary and Vince Jones are confident that the team is good enough to make the play offs later in the season.
The match scores were:
1. Cheltenham 655
2. Carmarthen 455
3. Cardiff AAC 415
Cardiff's event winners were:
Under 13 boys: Iwan Williams (long jump - 3.81m)
Under 13 girls: Claire Halligan (long jump - 3.54m); Elishka Cooper (800m - 2:41.0); Emma Ligthart (1200m - 4:26.7).
Under 15 boys: George Griffiths (long jump - 6.23m/ 100m - 12.9/ 200m - 24.1); Dafydd Williams (400m - 60.5); Tom Trottman (high jump - 1.70m)
Under 15 girls: Kate Seary (1500m - 4:57.6).
Under 17 boys: Elliot Slade (800m - 1.56.6/ 1500m - 4:14.7); Sam Gordon (100m - 11.2/ long jump - 5.61m); Tyrone Blake (high jump - 1.70m); Matteo Holmes (hammer - 42.40m).
Under 17 girls: Lucy Daly (pole vault - 2.62m); Atalanta Taylor (high jump - 1.35m).