Conditions were better than forecast at the MPT for the NI and Ulster U14 to U17 age-group champs, with athletes enjoying mainly bright conditions punctuated by the occasional shower.
Large numbers of NDAC young athletes were in action, with many making the podium and securing All-Ireland qualifying places (top 4). A few highlights from each category were as follows:-
U14 Girls
Emma Wilson won the first club medal of the day with her hammer PB of 20.82m securing bronze and bounced back well from a heavy fall in the hurdles final to narrowly miss the 80m final. Multi-eventer Niamh Fenlon was 2nd in the 75m hurdles final and showed her versatility with discus silver with a 20.82m PB. Later on she placed 4th in the 200m final.
Lucy Kerr was impressive over the hurdles, securing 4th in the final and also making the final of the 80m, were she was joined by Beth Hammond who also made the 200m final.
Kate Hunter smashed her PB with 4.23m in the long jump for 5th, a position she matched in the high jump. Morgan Wilson qualified for the All-Ireland’s with a PB javelin throw of 16.47m. Poppy Dann competed well in long jump and 80m.
U14 Boys
After Hannah Lawden recently secured the NI U13 javelin title, her achievements were matched by brother Charlie who duly delivered with a 27.21m PB for a narrow win in his javelin. He later added discus bronze in a 26.07m PB plus 5th in long jump. Jude Moran is enjoying his throwing and secured hammer bronze with a 16.65m PB plus 6th place in the discus.
U15 Girls
Erin Kennedy had a great day, securing hammer silver in a PB of 27.32m and later adding shot putt silver with 9.57m. Lucy Stevenson joined Erin on the hammer medal rostrum with a good throw of 19.94m for bronze.
Sophie Hoey pulled out a super 4.83m in the final round of the long jump for a PB and silver medal while Eva Morrow’s excellent 4.73m effort saw her miss the bronze only on countback.
Tara McDonagh was 5th from a very large field in the 800m while Casey Dawson sprinted well to make the finals of the 100m and 200m. Caitlin Owens was also in action in the sprints and in the 80m hurdles final where she placed 5th.
U15 Boys
Lexx McConville performed to his usual high standard with gold in the high jump thanks to a 1.60m clearance plus a silver in the 80m hurdles in 12.78s. Flynn Longstaff threw well with 30.59m for javelin silver, while his 10.14m shot left him outside the medals on this occasion.
U16 Girls
Megan Drummond was a double medalist in this age-group with 100m bronze in 13.16s plus an excellent 5.00m for bronze again in the LJ. Rose McGreevy adjusted very well to the 80m hurdles, claiming silver with a good run of 12.93s.
Megan Briggs took a well-earned silver in the 800m in 2 mins 29s while in the throws Zoe Steen took home discus silver with a 25.59m effort and shot bronze with 8.59m
U17 Girls
Shot Putt specialist Faye Nixon topped the podium in this age-category, heaving her 3k implement out to 10.85m. Sophie Longstaff has been learning the triple jump and performed very well in her new event, securing a bronze medal with a leap of 9.36m. Sophie also performed well at long jump, with her 4.60m effort seeing her just miss the podium by 3cms while finishing 4th.
U17 Boys
The versatile Troy McConville won the high jump, soaring to 1.85m while also adding discus bronze with 27.97m. Jonny Moore also won two medals, a silver at long jump with a 5.95m effort plus 100m bronze where he was timed at 11.67s. Finally Jakob Swann was 2nd in the 800m in 2 min 03 sec.
Well done to all athletes and good luck to those travelling to the All-ireland age-group champs in July.
Full results U14 – U17 Age groups