[Not a valid template]Conditions were very poor at Antrim on Friday and in particular Saturday in the Aviva Ulster Schools Championships with constant rain, cold and strong unpredictable winds. There were still some classy performances with club athletes well to the fore. Double gold went to Oliver Wakefield and Kathy Hetherington.
Oliver Wakefield (Priory College), unbeaten this year at any event, was the top minor (U13) performer with an emphatic double at 100m in 13.59 (13.39 in the semi final) and in long jump with 4.43m (depite taking off well before the board). At junior (U15) level, there was gold for Alex Catherwood (Ashfield), Elleana Hull and Ellen Robinson (Glenlola) were 3rd and 4th at 100m with other bronzes going to Sophie Cree (St Columbanus) at javelin and James Docherty (Nendrum) at 100m.
At intermediate (U17) level, Matthew Stockton (BGS) won the javelin, throwing 47.55m into a blustery headwind, Niall McGrattan (Priory) with 41.23m missing bronze by 1 cm. Beth Wilson (Sullivan Upper) was 2nd at discus and 3rd at shot and Glen Willis (Bangor Academy) was 2nd in a strong 1500m. Other bronzes went to Matthew Hamilton and Andrew Mellon (BGS) at 200m and 400m. Francesca Brown (Strathearn) was 4th at javelin and 5th at 800m.
[Not a valid template]There was a bit of a gold rush at senior level. Kathy Hetherington (BHS) had a double, winning shot and discus by big margins with 9.73 and 35.65m. Gareth Irvine (BHS) won discus, Kerrie Craig (Strathearn) won high jump, Adam McComb (St Columbanus) won 400m and Mark Armstrong (BGS) won 200m and was 4th at 400m.. James Hammond (BGS) was rd ad at 200m and 5th at 100m and Josh Lowry (BGS) was 4th at 1500m.