Harriers win at Somerset Schools senior championships

There were some impressive performances by junior Wells Harriers at the Somerset School Track & Field Championships this past week. Best performance for girls was by Emily Smith who ran out victor in the junior girls 1500m race, whilst Henry Brown likewise gained the gold medal in the 200m sprint for the junior boys, and Sam Bedford ran out winner in the 800m at the same age group. There were 4 other medal winning performances by Harriers.

Conditions were hot at Yeovil Arena as the athletes represented their School district with most Harriers competing for either Mendip or South Somerset schools. Henry Brown scorched away from his opponents in the heat of the 100m race with a time of 24.98 which will now place him within the top dozen times for 2009 within the region. In the final, later, he won comfortably with a slightly slower time of 25.06. Emily Smith took 8 seconds off her personal best for the 1500m and consolidates her position within the top ten in the region at this distance winning in 4.57. In the same race, team mate Kayley Kennedy also achieved an excellent personal best with a 3^rd place in 5.11. In the 800m race Eleanor Kirwan was just outside of the medals with 4^th in 2.43.

Roo Black was 2^nd on count back in the High Jump with her 1.49m jump, just short of her best, and also gained the bronze medal in the discus with her 20.19m throw. Anna Butler also contested the high jump with her best being a 1.29m jump. Rosalie Dowding ran well in the 1500m for the inter-girls with her time of 5.47. Sam Bedford won the 800m in a time of 2.09 and continues to demonstrate why he is ranked 2^nd at the distance across the region so far this year. Alex Wiltshire again went well in the 200m steeplechase and came 2^nd in a time of 6.42 for the senior boys.

There were also some great performances by fellow team-mates of the combined Yeovil & Wells team at these championships and a large number will now be going on to compete for the Somerset Schools at the SW Schools Inter-counties.

Well done to all!