There was a large dip in the number of senior athletes supporting these championships this year, but in total only seven fewer entrants than last year, as support from younger athletes continues to grow. Consequently most senior events and many of the U20 events were between no more than three or four contestants.
There was also a drop in the number of athletes doing more than one event, but most of those doing three events or more left with more than one medal. In the U20 Womens events Abby Beswick (East Grinstead) took gold in shot putt and silver in the long jump and Imogen Levy (Brighton & Hove) won the Triple Jump and took bronze in the 60m. Tabitha Lee (Horsham Blue Star) took the U17 bronze medals for the hurdles and triple jump and the silver for the high jump (1.50) behind Lillie Franks of Crawley (1.70).
In the U17 mens events Matthew Smith (Brighton & Hove) won both high (1.75) and long (6.14) jumps. Completing the list of multi eventers was Brighton & Hove’s U15G Amber Anning who, despite not doing her usual events, left the Sutton arena with three golds in the 60 Hurdles, long jump (5.30m) and High jump, and a silver for the shot putt, where she was beaten by a fine winning putt of 10.88m by her club mate Nancy Tier.
Under 13 athletes are limited to just two events in these championships, the 60m and long jump, and in both girls and boys the victors were the same for both events. The girls were won by Phoebe Thoms (Phoenix) and the boys by Adam Lindo (Crawley). Full results can be found in the results section.
As usual, this event was run in conjunction with the Surrey Championships and thanks are extended to the Surrey County AA who undertook most of the organisation. Thanks also to those officials from Sussex who made the journey and contributed to a successful weekend of athletics competition.