North Down boys team retained the Northern Ireland Young Athletes League trophy at a sun-drenched Antrim Forum, Peter Glass winning the Jimmy Murray Trophy for overall best athlete for his 1.93m HJ. Despite some sparkling performances, the girls were short of numbers and were 2nd to Lagan Valley, though a recount had them only 37 points adrift. Kathryn Colwell (U13) and Amy Foster (U17) won Athlete of the Match in their age group.
Peter Glass cleared his pb of 1.85m and wet on for 3 new pb’s at 1.88m, 1.90m, and 1.93m with three good attemps at 1.95m. He also won the sprint hurdles and was 2nd at javelin. He was well backed up inthe U17’s in the throws by David Keys and Joe Kingsberry, the jumps by Scott McCauley and Mark McClean, at middle distance by Chris Whelan, Jordan Neil and Richard Gordon. Jason Miller was left to struggle on his own in the sprints due to holidays.
The two other age groups were solid with Pete Wickens and Grant Montgomery the pick at U15 and the middle distance kids Josh Lowry and Darren Kelly at U13 but they all competed well.
Still it was the girls who were the real stars of the show, only 37 points adrift with huge gaps at U13 and U17. Check the press for the total domination at sprints. Kathryn Colwell, Natasha Paxton, Kim Shaw, Kiki Malomo Paris, Katie Hewitt, Hannah Lewis, Amy Foster, Alison Lavery (where did the 1.55m high jump come from?) and Erin Mullan did what they have done all season – left the opposition for dead. All would be medal prospects in Birmingham. Kerry Iveston ran pbs at 300m, 1500m and 3000m after running Scrabo on Friday evening. The U15’s were wwell backed up and won their section in a canter. The other 2 age groups were not. No competition means time spent coaching is wasted and expect changes when coaching time is reviewed.