Three Under 15 league records and a fine showing at the Under 13 Inter Counties marked a great weekend for Sussex youth athletics.
The weekend started on Friday evening with the third Sussex Under 15 League fixture at Withdean, Brighton.
In the opening event, the sensational Alice Howie (Worthing) broke her own league record for the third time in a row in the hammer with 52.47m. This throw is not only a new Sussex record but also cements her top UK ranking by nearly 10 metres.
At the last Under 15 League fixture, Brighton & Hove AC’s Charlie Fisher equalled the 100m league record with a time of 11.6. He went one better this time clocking 11.4s. This gave him a taste for it as he then went on to break the 200m one with 23.1.
Full individual results from the evening are being finalised, but Crawley AC were clear team winners for the third time in row.
It was the Under 13s time to take the limelight on Sunday at The Derek Crookes Inter Counties fixture in Kingston.
Conditions were sweltering for the selected athletes, but they all rose to the challenge showing enthusiasm and support for each other across the whole day.
Both boys and girls’ teams placed fourth overall out of seven competing counties.
It was Noah Walker (Brighton & Hove AC) in the boys’ discus who stood out. His 29.24 throw has taken him to third in the UK rankings – particularly impressive as it was only his third competition ever. He went on to come second in the shot put with 8.72m.
Cross country champion, Katherine Haslip (Phoenix) has not had much track competition this season due to juggling triathalons, but that didn’t stop her winning the girls’ 1500m A String in 4.52.1. Sussex team mate Isabella Buchanan (HY) matched the placing in the B string in 4.59.93.
Fin Lumber Fry (Eastbourne) was also a winner in the boys’ B string 1500m in 4.47.51, as was Rosie Austin in the B string javelin with a PB of 24.51. Her Brighton & Hove partner, Sophie Bliss, had already placed an impressive second in the A string with 24.55.
Other stand outs were Heidi Ely (Crawley), second in the 70mH A (11.91), and Seren Rowe, also second in the 800m B in 2.34.02.
It was great to have inter county track and field athletics back after a three year break.