Harriers in competition at Track & Field April 24th & April 25th

In the top Division One match of the South West Athletics League held at the Yeovil track on Sunday April 24th a number of the home grown Wells Harriers competed alongside team-mates from Yeovil Olympiads to once again strengthen the overall team. Whilst final team results are still pending, a number of the individual performances are known. In the U’13s, Callum Batten from Glastonbury made his debut for the team competing at three events plus the 4x100m team relay. Probably his best performance came in the 1500m where he ran even paced to finish in 5.32.2, whilst he also ran well at the 200m, made his mark in the shot with 4.48m, and helped the relay team to gain valuable points when they finished 3rd.

In the U’15’s Justine Bowers of Brewham returned to the track for her season’s debut — this time competing over the 200m distance rather than her trademark 800m race. At the same age group Leighanna Chappell achieved two 5th places with 2.40.8 in the 800m and 1.25m in the High Jump. Natalie Parker also competed well in this age group with an early season 2.46 in the 800m.In the next age group up, her sister Laura Parker was again running strong as she looks ahead to another good track season. Laura gained 3rd place in the U’17 Women’s 300m hurdles on her debut at the event. She also debuted at the Triple jump and again finished 3rd with her best mark of 9.76m.

For the seniors, Harrier members Laura Whitehead of Glastonbury and Becky Lee of Frome competed. Harrier coach Laura was 2nd in the ‘A’ string 800m with her 2.29.5 and has promised to go quicker next time out. She also helped the relay squad with one of the last events of day to gain valuable points for the composite Yeovil/Wells team.

On Monday evening April 25th over 40 junior Harriers competed in their first competitions of the track and field season at the Club’s monthly competition night held at Millfield track. The sprints saw individual victories for Joshua Leavey- Gillespie, Will Norris, Meghan Skeates, Jordan Hughes, Roo Black, and Gabrielle Emery. Pick of the times was probably that by Chilcompton based Year 5 athlete Will Norris with 11.66 in the 75m distance event.

In the Long Jump, the guest Becca Stern of Wells posted a very useful 4.45m distance as she trains for a forthcoming heptathlon. Regular Monday night attendee Leighanna Chappel, along with Shepton’s Peter Key and Liam Black also jumped well.

In the High Jump, it seemed to be a bit too early in the season for any outstanding marks but the 25 athletes that had a go have now set marks to beat in subsequent competition. Likewise in the Shot Putt, though in the middle distance events the Harrier’s traditional year-round strength was seen with a number of good performances. The U’9s 400m race was won by Harry Ewins, but with strong competition from Bryony Hassel, followed by Lamyatt’s Solomon Chadwick and Keinton Mandeville’s Dan Hodges. In the 600m race for Year 4 & 5, Will Norris once again raced away from the field, but Shepton’s Naomi Marable brought her winter endurance training into play as she came home in second place.

In the Final event of the18 event competition programme, Joshua Leavey-Gillespie cruised to a comfortable win in the 800m in a steady 2.45.The Harriers next track and field competition for juniors is at Millfield track on Monday May 23rd starting at 6.00pm. Training for juniors is every Monday, other than Bank Holidays, at Millfield.