The Ulster Schools Track and Field Championships took place at Antrim on Saturday with conditions the worst in living memory. Incessant rain fell throughout what is a long programme. The athletes and officials managed to stay positive throughout although water seepage meant that not all track events had a photofinish. The club youngsters were out in force, picking up a few titles and performances on the way.
In the oldest Senior Level, Andrew Mellon and Matthew Stockton justified their favourites tag, winning the 400m and javelin senior titles in 51.3 sec and 48.84m. Likewise Clare Robinson won the 100m hurdles in 16.2 sec and was also 3rd at triple jump. Katie Moore was 3rd in 3000m and Matthew Hamilton 5th at 200m.
North Down athletes were prominent at Intermediate level and there was a clean sweep at girls high jump, won by Alex Catherwood with 1.60m from Sarah Connolly and Rebekah Rutherford. Sarah was also 4th in 80m hurdles and there were two seconds from Elleana Hamilford-Hull at 200m and javelin. Sophie Cree was 3rd in the javelin and other 3rd’s came from Laura Potts at discus and Chloe Johnston at 300m. Ellen Robinson was 5th at both 100m and 80m hurdles and Zara Mulholland 7th at 1500m. In the Intermediate boys Mark Burton was 2nd at triple jump, Aaron Corbett and Jonny Baxter 2nd and 3rd at long jump, Chris Ball 6th at shot and Ciaran Farren 7th at 400m hurdles.
In the Junior events, Michael Gaffney is currently rewriting the club U15 javelin record and his win took it to 45.41m. Two more wins came from Oliver Wakefield at 100m and long jump with 11.9 secs and 5.58m. Top girl was Olivia Cumming with a 200m win in 27.19 sec (27.1 in the heat) and she was 3rd at long jump. Saskia Greer was 4th in both 100m and 200m, also running faster in the heats. Hope Gibson was 7th at 75m hurdles.
Aaron Sexton was the pick of the mini boys, winning the 100m in 12.91 (12.78 in the heat) and joint 2nd at high jump. In the girls, Molly Longstaff won the long jump with 4.11m and Molly Brown was 7th in the 800m.
Apologies to anyone we haven’t mentioned and well done to all for beating the elements.