John Saulters is in very good form and at the first track meeting of the 2004 season at MPT , he helped Queens University to a win over University of Ulster in the Londonderry Trophy. In the process he broke the North Down AC record for 400m, leaving him one-up over training partner Brendan McConville.
John won the 400m in 49.86 and also won the open 100m in 11.69. Brendan, representing NIAF, was 3rd at 400m after leading for the first 300m and he also ran 11.67 for 100m and shot putted 11.82.
Michael Dyer also started the track season well, winning the 800m in 1.57.89. Michael McConkey although concentrating once more on javelin this season was 2nd at discus and shot in 34.30 and 12.32. Also at discus and shot, Jeremy Harper had disappointing marks of 26.94 and 12.03 after working on some new techniques the previous evening.
Queens won the mens’ events, Ulster the girls’ with Anna Boyle winning five events, and Queens won overall on aggregate. The renewed interest in athletics at University level in recent years has given a boost to the whole sport.