Ulster Champs

Another beautiful weekend at the Antrim Forum and another strong performance from our athletes. Only four girls to represent us but what a great job they did. First up on Saturday were Lauren Hutchinson and Charlotte Rea in the u-14 800mts. After taking the time to phone the ANI office on the day before to ensure fair play in deciding the heat seedings for the large entry I was appalled to see our two girls being seeded into the two slower heats. Lauren and Charlotte both won their heats running time trials but the fastest heat provided three quicker times and therefore that's were the medals went. Our girls were denied the opportunity to compete for a medal!!! The official responsible later told me that he had selected the nine fastest athletes for the last heat. When I pointed out the fact that the last three athletes in this heat finished in times outside three minutes and that it would have taken about 30 seconds on his own website to see the rankings he had no answer and he didn't even offer an apology. At least the meeting director had the decency to do do that! Our athletes slotted into fourth and sixth places and without doubt had they had the chance to compete on a level footing they both had a live medal chance. Absolutely inexcusable from the officials involved!! It is a matter which I shall pursue! On the Sunday in the older age groups Aoibhin McKay jumped a season's best 1.45 to claim an excellent third place. Brilliant effort from the Banbridge girl who jumped with conviction and belief. Last one on was reigning u-15 and Ulster schools champ Aislinn Crossey now bidding for the u-16 title. Only three other competitors lined up but despite carrying a slight injury and suffering from a cold there was only ever going to be one winner and Aislinn went about her work in a professional manner and is now a triple Ulster champion. Congratulations and well done to our four athletes.

YAL in Magherafelt

You know a journey to Magherafelt is worth it if only to remind yourself of the incredible facilities there are at the Meadowbank sports centre on the outskirts of the town! That our athletes can compete and compete so well with other clubs who have access to such facilities speaks volumes about the talent we have. Only five hardy souls made the trip on a cold and windy night. First up were Charlotte and Lauren in the 800 and they jogged their way round in a time which would have been a pb for both six months ago but now seems slow. They then had their now familiar burn up to the line. Familiar finish as well. Lauren can sprint better than most at this age and Charlotte will have to come up with a plan to counteract that. A gun perhaps!! This will be a feature of their athletics over the coming years as indeed it has been for the past few years. I am delighted that both girls have spurred one another to such a good level and if this continues both will flourish and develop into serious athletes. I'm also pleased that their friendship has grown in tandem with their rivalry and is surely what athletics should be about. Next up was Aislinn Crossey who bypassed her favoured 800 mts and sprinted to a 28.0" in the 200. Second place seemed a fair reward. Rachael Quinn also took a go at the 200 and did well on such a cold night to improve her pb to 30.7". Last up was Lucy Quinn who won the 150 mts in a swift 21.1". We also had a go in the 4x100 relay but had to move up an age group due to only having three minor girls. Rachael filled in as we moved to the junior event. Despite a horror change between Charlotte & Lauren we held on to third place. Whats that..............oh yeah,,,there were only three teams, but hey I'm sure had there been more we would still have been third!! Thanks to the Hutchinson family for transport and support.

Schools Epilogue!

The schools T&F championships ended on another blazing hot day in Tullamore Co Offaly. Unfortunately there are no Irish champs at minor level thereby depriving Lauren Hutchinson of a day in the sun but Aislinn Crossey went in search of a time to elevate her to the ANI development squad and get a UK athletics grade 1 ranking. As expected the race went of at a breakneck pace and right from the go Aislinn looked laboured. The lead group went through the bell in 66" with Aislinn trailing in 7th place. As the gap's appeared going down the back straight she picked up a few places though never looked like closing the gap to the leaders. With her season's target in the balance Aislinn dug deep and gave her all to the tape. It was too close to call but when the times were posted we were all delighted to see 2'20.48"! A second inside her previous best and inside the time for selection. The experience will be well learned. Aislinn is good enough to be running in national decider's and when that light comes on in her head more improvements will come. A huge well done!!