Many of the Harriers younger athletes were in action at the County Schools Championships, an important step towards possible selection for the premier athletics championships in a few weeks, English Schools.
Top 2 finishes for the Northants County Schools Championships all receive an invite for the prestigious Mason Trophy, and Inter-County competition which offers the best level of competition outside of the championship itself, so there was a lot to motivate the athletes to produce their best.
There were a number of outstanding performances with Junior Girl Maggie Gancheva winning her first schools track championship in the 800m. Gancheva who is 0.1 sec off the qualifying time ran a tactical race due to the blustery conditions, and won the race with ease in 2:23.30. Gancheva will hope for better conditions at her first appearance at the Mason Trophy & Midweek at the Watford open where she will look to dip below the qualifying time of 2:18.0.
Maggie Gancheva leading the JG 800m to win comfortably in 2:23.30
Dylan White also won in style in the Inter Boys 400m with a superbly controlled race to win in 53.80 to secure his first selection for the Mason Trophy and again White will be hoping to improve his PB at the weekend as he also sits just off the qualifying standard.
Dylan White victory in the IB 400m with a contyrolled race in 53.80
Junior Girl Chelsie Locker competing at the Leicestershire County Schools, secured her first County title with a confident and powerful display of 800m running, Locker who is making great progress will also look to improve her PB (2:20.2) by <2 seconds to secure an English Schools time.
Lara Turner slowly returning to form won the Inter-Girls 1500m at a stroll in 5:24.20 with just one other competitor in the race, and she looks forward to her first Mason Trophy.
Junior Girls Iona Ellwood ran a fine race for 2nd place in the 1500m in 5:18.60 also securing her first Mason trophy selection along with Junior Boy Dylan Ransom also in 2nd in 4:44.20. Bottom year Junior George Sharp ran well for 4th just outside his PB in 2:19.30, and new recruit & just finding her feet Junior Gracie Horton running well for 5:30.
Iona Ellwood a terrific run to finish in 2nd place in the JG 1500m,
Also running well but not progressing to the Mason Trophy were Inter-Boy's Joseph Pickering 5th in the 1500m in 4:44.10 and Lucas Rogers 4th in the 800m in 2:04.1
Special Mention to KTH's 2nd claimer who train with the squad Luke Turner who won the 400mH comfortably in 58:00, as did KTH 2nd claimer Nathan Lamb who won the JB 1500m with ease in 4:30.7
Well done to everyone who competed & good luck to those selected for the Mason Trophy