Unfortunately, due to injury, illness, & exams, North Down fielded weakened men’s & women’s teams in Round 1 of the AAI National League at Santry on Sunday 12th June.
Tom Reynolds got the day off to a flying start for the men’s team with an excellent win in the 110mH clocking 15.27s. Michael Dyer doubled up in the middle distance showing impressive strength by firstly running 3.56.62 to take 2nd in the 1500m and following it soon after with a win in a season opener 800m of 1.56.02. There were also second places for Adam McComb who set a new PB in the 200m with a time of 21.97s and Alan Kennedy who jumped 13.53m in his first triple jump competition of the outdoor season. Junior athlete, Ollie Wakefield earned valuable points in the long jump finishing in 3rd place with a best of 6.20m
The women’s team gave a great account of themselves with only five members. Kathy Hetherington took a valuable 1st place in the discus with 40.68m and in her first shot putt of the year finished 4th with a putt 9.67m. Another middle distance runner to double up was Rachel Gibson who set a new PB of 10.04.99 to win the 3000m before finishing 2nd in the 800m with a time of 2.17.33. Laura Saulters was just shy of her PB in the triple jump also finishing 2nd with a best effort of 11.59m. Claire Robinson finished in 3rd place and set a new PB in the 100mH with 15.44s and followed up with another 3rd in the long jump in 5.04m. Rebecca Collins took 3rd in the 1500m walk with a time of 7.45.86.
The men’s team scored 75 points and finished 7th in the Premier Division while the women scored 54 points and also finished 7th in Premier Division. Hopefully both teams should be greatly strengthened by the addition of some juniors and returning athletes for the next round at Mary Peters on 17th July.
Remaining results:
Tom Reynolds 4th pole vault 2.80m, 4th shot putt 11.04m
Peter Speers 4th 400mH 65.32s
Mens relay 4th 4x100m 44.16s
Roger Sexton 7th 400m 54.82s
Andrew Graham 5th 100m 11.20s
Ollie Wakefield 5th high jump 1.70m