A slightly depleted KTH squad produced a solid team performance to ensure the Harriers remain in division 2 for the 2016 season, a league position which offers a good level of competition for many of the younger athletes. The Harriers finished in 5th overall (2nd in the female competition) again outscoring local rivals Corby AC who finished in 8th.
A special mention to Niamh Lindsley who had a very nasty fall in her hurdles race and landed awkwardly onto her shoulder and sustained a fracture. All at the Club wish Niamh a speedy recovery.
There were a number of notable performances with Sheena Britten & Niamh Ruffles producing an excellent sprint double for the 100/ 200m in the A & B races respectively, amongst the highlights. Both girls are showing a strong improvement this season and they dominated the U17/ SW category.
There were fine wins for some of the Middle distance squad with the remarkably consistent U13 Dylan Bowley producing a superb winning performance ahead of Royal Suttons Joseph Martin & local rival Corby AC Luca Mayes with a superb and decisive kick in the 800m from 150m out, to record yet another UK top 20 ranked time of 2:17.8, his 5th this season all within 1 second. Dylan also showed his versatility with a fine win in the Javelin with 25.15m and a surprise third in the Shot with 5.69m.
English Schools bound U15 Emily Williams was looking for a shorter speed race and opted for the 300m and produced a fine run in the B race to win in style in 45.1. In the A 300m, Erin Healy trying out the longer sprint & returning to full fitness produced a sparkling run to record a new PB of 43.2 for second place to move just outside of the UK top 50.
U17 Rebecca Hughes also won the B 800 with a dominant display of running to record another SB of 2:29.7, and U13 Natalie Short also ran a superb race in the 800m to finish in second place with a new lifetime best of 2:37.5 and continues to show strong improvement, she also competed well in the long jump & javelin finishing 2nd & 3rd respectively. In the U15 Girls 800 Harriett Jolley continues to show improvement with a fine new PB of 2:44.8 for 5th, and Olivia Knibb also ran well in the B race for 5th with 2:50.0, and she also competed in the long jump & Javelin.
Alfie Frayne also ran a terrific race in the U11B 600m with a fine second place to record a new lifetime best of 1:58.8, his first sub 2:00 clocking, and followed this up with a solid second place in the Howler with 36.0m.
The ever consistent U15 Dannielle McCann-Gaskell produced a fine run for third place in the 1500m with 5:02.8, and there was a good run from U13 Ollie Read who ran a terrific new PB of 5:12.6 and is closing in on his season’s target of 5:10, & Mia Brockway ran well for 5th in the 1500m.
U17 Claudia Nevett looking to improve her speed ran an 800m and with 150m she was leading the race, but tired legs from the 3k ran the previous day caught up with her and she ran well with 2:27.8 for 5th, and Chloe Hearne also tired from a 3k the previous day and dropping down in distance to the 300m, ran well for 5th with 50.8. Josh Cannell finished in 7th in the U15B 800m with an identical time to his PB of 2:26.2.
Elsewhere in the sprints & throws there were good performances were given by Freya Marlow who finished 2nd in high jump and long jump and 3rd in javelin with PBs in the latter two events. Matilda Braithwaite who improves in her throwing events each time finished 2nd and 3rd in javelin and shot and also ran well in the hurdles.
In the U11 category Ben Brooker and Daniel Short both finished in 4th in the long jump A and B and Daniel and Alfie also both finished 4th in the 75m sprints. Ben also finished in 5th in the howler.
In the U11 Girls Maddie Moxey and Kate Nelis both competed in the 75m, 600m and long jump, with Maddie gaining a pb in the 600m.
In the U13 category the Raulia twins had a busy day with Brandon slightly below his best for 3rd in the high jump where he was similarly placed in the javelin and a 5th in the hurdles. Brother Ryan competed in the shot and 1500m. Cole Sinnott ran well in 100m and 200m with new PBs and also came second in the long jump.
In the girls U13s Ellen Smith ran well for 3rd in the 100m and then had to run her 200m race twice due to a faulty start - managing to finished in 2nd on both occasions. Emily Sierra-Pendergrast made her debut in the league for fine runs also in 100m and 200m for 4th and 2nd in the B string.
In the U15 category David Carlise and Chris Owen made their debut for the Club in the League. David competed in the long jump, 100m and 200m. Chris was victorious in the shot and also ran in the 200m. Haydn Bennett was also victorious in the shot B string and also competed in the 100m.
On the girls side, Maurella Forbes again ran well in the hurdles and high jump for 3rd and was 1st in the shot. Rhianna Paris-Smith competed in the 100m and 200m and finished 2nd in the B string shot.
In the U17 category we only had two male athletes competing, Sam Bott and Richard Burke. Sam competed in the 100m and Richard competed in shot for 3rd and javelin for 4th.
Coaches Amanda Marlow and Alison Moxey also scored useful points in the shot both finishing in 3rd in A and B string. Amanda also finished 2nd in B javelin and had to make up a team place in the relay!
In the relays the Harriers were also consistent with fine second places for both the U13 Boys & Girls teams & the U15 Girls, and 3rd place in the U17/SW race.
Well done to all athletes who competed, and ensured we retain our division 2 status, with increasing quality in key areas really coming through we can feel confident going into next season of putting in a strong challenge for promotion?
Amanda Marlow/ Shane Smith