At the first of this year’s competition evenings for juniors on April 30^th at Millfield there were again some fantastic performances by the large group of Harrier youngsters that attend. Almost 40 took supported by many parents and with over 10 Harrier coaches in attendance to ensure the event ran like clock-work. Times and performances were good despite the strong wind.

The evening started with the short sprints with Lottie McCarthy storming away to win the first 100m race for Year 6 girls in a time of 14.10, just ahead of a fast finishing Vera Assis in 14.54 and Roo Black in 15.00. In the same age boys race Curtis Stevens ran an excellent 14.79. For the Year 7s, first boy home was Jesse Haselwood in a nippy 14.50.Performance of the night though for the 100m sprinters was by Tom Singer with his 13.22 for 1^st in the Year 8 race. Leah Bowhay, also Year 8, with her 14.34, also ran well. In the final 100m race for Year 9 and above Isaac Whitcombe recorded an impressive 12.88.

In the 75m sprints, Harry Jupps’ 11.2 and Abi Gibbon’s 12.4 were the best for the Year 5s, whilst Sol Chadwick with12.95 was best in the Year 4 race. In the 300m race, Harry Jupp made it 2 wins out of 2 with his 55.28, some 7 seconds ahead of Solomon though a year older. Abbi Gibbons won for the girls wither 60.92 despite the blustery conditions in the home straight. Isaac Whitcombe recorded 28.37 in the 200m, chased all the way by Tom Singer with his 29.61.

The Middle distance races went according to the form book with John Richardson deciding to double up and running an easy 2.32/5.22 double to win both events. Louis Curtis with 2.43 was 2^nd in the 800m whilst Tristan Goldsmid was 2^nd in the 1500m with a solid 5.39. This was in good sized fields of 10 and 9 juniors respectively.

In the field events there was a good range of winners. Kimberley Bartlett was best of the javelin throwers with her 16.40m, whilst for the Year 5s and below the girls’ mini discus was won by Savannah Blower with her 9.64m. For a number taking part in this event this was the first time they’d had a go at discus so all must be congratulated.

In the Long Jump Harry Jupp, with 3.06m, for the boys and Abby Gibbons, with 3.03m, for the girls won the event for Year 5 and below. For the older athletes it was no surprise when Isaac Whitcombe launched himself to 4.85m with John Richardson just behind in 4.57m. The high Jump proved more difficult for the juniors because of the strong wind, but even so Roo Black’s 1.20m clearance and Lottie McCarthy’s 1.15m were good achievements.

The Harrier’s next competition evening for local juniors is on Monday May 21^st starting at 6pm and is open to all Harriers and others who want to come and give athletics a try. Please contact Kaye Watts on 01749 347557 or Paul Chadwick on 01749 812420. Further details on the Club website www.wellscityharriers.org.uk.