Tickner on standby for Team GB – round up for June 18th

Harrier Frank Tickner smashed his personal best for the 3000m steeplechase last Wednesday June 13th at Prague, in the Czech Republic, and as a consequence has gone straight to 2^nd on the national rankings for the event. Frank travelled out with Coach Clive Thomas to the prestigious match, along with one of the Kenyan athletes, Caleb Ngetich, now based in Street and training with the Harriers whilst competing on the European circuit.

Frank finished in 8.31.40, slicing over 14 seconds off his personal best, in a top quality field in superb conditions, with the race starting late in the evening in front of a passionate and knowledgeable crowd. Caleb ran a season’s best with his 4^th place time of 8.17.90 behind fellow compatriot Collins Kosgei.

Frank’s performance has earned him a call up for Team GB to travel to the Europa Cup Super League match being held this coming weekend in Munich. Frank goes as reserve for the 3,000m, 5000m and 3,000m steeplechase. This follows on his Team GB vests at the XC these past two winters. We all wish him well if he gets the chance to again compete for Team GB.

At the South-West Schools Track and Field Championships at Yeovil on Saturday June 16^th there was a fantastic gold medal winning performance by Club member Laura Parker in the senior girls 1500m event with a 4.40.4 personal best. Alex Wiltshire was 4^th in the Inter Boys Steeplechase behind a great run by Charlie MacLean. Natalie Parker answered a late call to be a replacement for the 300m hurdles and also ran well. Full details to follow.

Also on the track the Harriers again hosted another competition evening for over 40 of its junior members on Monday 18^th June with great efforts from all those that took part. Pick of the sprinters was the very nippy performances by Year 7 Henry Brown who ran 12.68/27.59 for the 100m/200m combination. Henry gained silver at the Somerset Schools last week and seems to be getting better all the time, though here he had a little help with a tail wind.

Other winners in the various Year 6-8 age-group sprint races were Tom Singer, Harry Reindy, Brett Cotterill and best for the girls Lamorna Schanche with her 14.40. For the Year 5’s and below there was again another fast 75m race from Harry Jupp winning in 11.35, with Oliver Fox not too far back with 11.57. Danny Kennedy outpaced Sol Chadwick in the Year 4 race with 12.13 to 12.37; and for the year 3s Jonathan Bryer was first home in 13.59.

In the middle distance races, John Richardson ran a useful 2.21/4.56 for the 800m/1500m double, whilst Year 6 Emily Smith ran 2.55 in the 800m, and Year 7 Kayley Kennedy was just shy of her personal best with 5.35 in the 1500m. For the youngsters, Year 3s to 5s competing over 300m, Harry Jupp was again victorious in 52.91with Oliver Fox just behind in 53.12. First for the Year 4s was Sol Chadwick in 59.84 with Jonathan Bryer first for the Year 3s with 83.45.

Best in the high jump were Year 8’s Jess Colvin, clearing 1.45m, whilst Year 6 Roo Black again went clear at 1.30m. In the long jump there was also some good jumping, with Oliver Fox excelling for the boys in Year 5 or below with his 3.70m and Lydia Braga jumping out to 3.32m for the girls in the same age group.

Best of the younger shot putters was Haiden Watts for the boys with 6.35m and Lydia Braga with 4.70m for the girls. Savannah Blower was best for the Year 5 girls with the slightly heavier, 1.5kg shot at 4.92m; and Anna Butler best with 6.30m for the 2kg shot. Reuben Whitcombe took the 2.75kg out to 5.83m just ahead of Jesse Hazelwood, and his elder brother Isaac Whitcombe launched the 3.75kg shot out to 8.14m. In the Hammer for the Year 6s and above, Vera Assis was pick of the athletes with her 28.50m.

Final event of the Monday evening junior athletics was the tug-of-war, where Harrier and member of the top GB tug-of-war team Nick Edwards encouraged some excellent heaving. Many thanks as usual to all the parents and coaches who helped ensure the event ran like clock work. There will be another junior competition evening next month

Meanwhile on the road Carl Morris led from gun to tape in the latest of the monthly Yeovilton 5km races held last week. Carl won in 15.22 and shows that he is coming right back into some good form. He then doubled up by winning Sunday’s Midsomer Norton Half marathon in a splendid 72.04. For the women, Jenny Moore was 2^nd overall at the same half in 85.41, and Ann Taswell was 3^rd for the ladies at the 5km race in 19.17. Many of the almost 50 senior Harriers that were out competing at these two races were in training for the annual Cotswold Way Relay with 40 Club members due to form 4 teams of 10 to contest the 105mile course at the end of the month.

Full results from the Yeovil 5km and Midsomer Norton races on the results section whilst full results from the junior competition evening will appear on the junior page.