There was a mixed back of results for the opening HOE league fixture on 10th May at Kidderminster & Stourport, but a more than respectable overall result with a depleted squad which saw the Harriers finish in 5th place overall, and importantly ahead of local rivals Corby AC who finished in 8th place on the day.
The women finished in 6th overall and the men put in a better showing finishing in third place. There were a great many athletes who stepped up to participate in events other than their own which is great testament to their character.
A typical strong showing in the 800m saw A & B victories in both the U17 men’s & women’s 800m, with Jack Trent easily winning the A race in a season opener of 2:05.2, and Ethan Mehmet winning the B race by an even larger margin in 2:12.1. Hannah Winstone opened her 2015 800m account with an impressive front running display right from the gun to record a fine new PB of 2:27.4 with Sophie Moss repeating the feat in the B race to record a season opening 2:35.0. Other success in the 800 came with U13 Dylan Bowley fresh from his 4 second PB the day earlier to cruise home in second place with 2:32.7, & up and coming U13 Skye-Lilly Kay who again improved her PB by 5 second to record a fine 2:45.1 to finish in third place. Also recording third places was U15 Thomas Jawad set a fine new PB of 2:26 and Ethan Nellis with 2:46.2. Alfie Frayne also ran well in the U11 600m to win the B race in a new PB of 2:04.2.
Jake Trent who had a busy weekend with BMC pacing duties on Saturday and an earlier 800m victory also won the U17 Men’s 400m with an impressive new PB of 53.5, with U20 Sheena Brittan repeating the feat in the women’s B 300m with 47.9 with a solid run in her first race over this distance. Also running well over the 300m distance was Jennifer Robinson, making her debut at the shorter distance with a fine third place in 48.0 a feat she repeated in her more typical 1500m when she set a new PB of 5:32.8 in the B race with a fine 3rd place.
In the 1500m U17 Rebecca Hughes running her less preferred distance put in a great performance to win the B race in 5:39.8 & U13 Oliver Read ran a fine race to finish in third place in the A race with a new PB of 5:22.6, & U15 Josh Cannell also finishing 3rd with an impressive run to also record a new PB of 5:09.3 with Danielle MCCann-Gaskill setting a new PB for 1500m with 5:24.3 for 4th fresh from her 800m PB the day earlier, & U13 Mia Brockway running well in setting a PB of 5:48.2 for 5th.
There were fine wins in a number of other events with Brandon Raulia winning the U13B high jump, Tapuwa Chitiga 1st in the U15 boys shot, and Harriet Drake-Lee also winning the U13G shot & U13 Dylan Bowley winning the U13B discus B event.
There were second places for Alex Beale (U15F Long Jump), Harriett Drake-Lee (U13F High Jump), Sam Bott (U17M Long Jump), Max Mowforth (U13 100m), Ethan Nellis (U13 Shott), Millie Webb (U13 200m), Tapuwa Chitiga (U15B 200m), Chloe Hearne (U17F Long Jump), Ethan Nelis (U13 Discus) where many vital points were picked up.
The Relays Also brought some success and late afternoon excitement with a 2nd place for the U13 G and third places for the Mixed U11/ U13B & U17W
All in all it was an encouraging display from the Harriers team and will hopefully prove sufficient for us to retain our Div 2 status over the season.
As ever many thanks to the tireless Amanda Marlow for organising the team & for all the other helpers (Coaches/ Parents/ Club official) who all helped to make this a real team event.
Next HOE event is on 07th June details nearer the time.