A total of 17 athletes from the Fit for Youth Sprint group had an early rise on the morning of the 23rd of April 2017 as they headed off to Birmingham for the 2017 Birchfield Harriers 2017 Track and Field Open. The venue of this event was Alexander Stadium near Birmingham University, a fitting scene for a spectacle of top class athletic performances. The rain held off and with the hosts being very welcoming the Dunboyne AC athletes were relaxed and ready to do battle with the best athletes in the West Midlands. Each race was a time trial with the top three recorded times taking the spoils.Our travelling squad was as follows;
Under 11
Alice Griffin -75m & Long Jump
Report- Our birthday girl on her first International Trip jumped a PB which she described as being better than any cake she may have missed out on.
Under 13
Eve Conheady -75m & 150m
Lucy Eglington -75m @ 150m
Rachael Norman- 75m, 150m & Long jump
Niamh Sherlock- 800m, Long Jump & Javelin
Kayla Ryan -75m,150m & 600m.
Aideen Reilly ( withdrawal with injury)
Holly Conlon 800m & 75m
Highlights-Eve in her very first competition of any sort for the club gave a very good account of herself for newby. Lucy looked powerful in her 75m sprint as she came home first, finishing just outside the medals when the times were collated.Rachael was in flying form as a new PB in the Long Jump earned her a silver medal. Niamh found a new talent as she tried out the Javelin, her impressive spear chucking showing her fourth overall in the result sheet. Kayla showed a touch of class as she led her 800m from the run all the way past the finish line with a considerable winning margin. Holly ran a new PB in her 800m and was unlucky not to pick up some silverware. Poor Aideen had to sit this one out as she wore plaster de Paris on her arm as a fashion accessory for this trip.
Under 15
Kate Reilly -800m & Triple Jump
Doireann Ni Fhlatharta -800m & 300m
Dervla McNiochlas- 100m & 200m
Abigail Knox- High Jump & Long Jump
Kate Griffin -75m Hurdles & 200m
Pablo Mendoza- 100m & 150m
Ross Lyons 800m &300m
Tadhg O Muircheartaigh Javelin
Highlights-Kate was forced to compete in the shorter distance of 800m as her 1500m was cancelled, finished a credible fourth in this unfavourable discipline. Gold was Doireann’s bling of the day as she topped the podium in both the 800m and the 300m. Kate Griffin despite being out of age raised a few eyebrows as she finished third in her hurdles heat, finishing just outside a podium placing overall. Abigail equalled her PB in the High Jump as she collect a bronze in her first proper outing of the season. Dervla was a mere two days overage to compete in the younger age category, however she did not look out of place in a classy field of top sprinters. Pablo almost took out a few low flying pigeons as he jumped a PB and collected a gold in his Long Jump. Ross another athlete out of age dug deep to come home second in his 800m heat and earn fifth overall. Tadhg threw a massive 47m plus to impress the rest of his competitors as he claimed gold in the javelin.
Under 17
Victoria Knox 200m & 300m
Highlights- Another athlete underage for this competition next year was well in the mix her her 200m as she finished fifth overall.
A big thank you to all the coaches and parent who traveled and a special mention to our own Olympian Sara Tracey who time out of her hectic schedule to drop in and encourage our young athletes.
Find more photos here! https://www.flickr.com/photos/151447904@N02/albums/72157681159228080
