The KTH Young Athletes team completed a successful season at Sutton Coldfield with second place in the final meeting. Nene Valley won , which confirmed them as league champions, whilst Kettering, despite many late withdrawals, gathered enough points to see off county rivals Daventry AC.
There were some superb performances across the board from the young Harriers, with the sprinters in particularly good form. Jodie Harris won both the Under 13 75m and 150m, which earned her the girls athlete of the match, whilst Niamh Bailey produced a hat-trick of PBs - in the 100m (12.7), 300m (42.6) and High Jump (1.59m). Bradley Fox also lowered his best with a winning 12.2 in the Under 15 100m, adding the High Jump for good measure.
Although Sharnie Love (200m) and Tom Carvell (Hurdles) didn't win their races, they also improved their PBs, whilst Lydia Cole gained maximum points in the Under 13 70m Hurdles.
The middle-distance runners delivered the goods, as usual. Fran Ashworth and Ed Cherry, fresh from English Schools, both won the Under 15 800m and Kayleigh Walford took the Under 15 1500m. Despite finishing 2nd to his arch-rival Alex Hampson from Nene Valley, Jack Hope notched another 1500m PB (4.52.7), whilst Maisie Green also ran a Grade 1 time in the Under 13 1200m. Liam Smith will have been pleased with a sub-5 minute clocking in the Under 17 1500m.
In the field, Daisy Gilbert scored heavily, as she always does, winning the Under 15 Shot and Javelin, and sister Annie won the Under 13 Shot. Sophia Smith took the Under 13 High Jump and there was a new best for Harriet Sumnall, as she claimed victory in the Under 15 Discus. Newcomer Ryan Parry notched an impressive double in the Under 17 Javelin and Triple Jump.
This was Beth Horsley's last YAL meeting and we thank her for all her efforts over the years. Sister Evie is following in her footsteps as a sprinter; she also typified the great team spirit amongst the KTH athletes by completing the 800m with Katie Symonds, in order to gain valuable points for the team. Nasra Abdulsamad did likewise in the 1200m, whilst Alex Smit bravely gained good points in the Under 17 200m (2nd) and High Jump (1st), despite being far from fully fit. He deservedly won the boys athlete of the match award.
The Harriers will finish around 5th in the league, our best performance for several years. Thanks are due to Sarah Bailey for her tireless work in managing the team, to Dick Caplis and Paul Young for timekeeping and track judging, to Ashley McClintock for mastering the notoriously difficult results software and to everyone who helped with field officiating.
And, finally, well done to the athletes for their good behaviour and determination to succeed!