athletics u17

The U17 girls ended their athletics season on a high with a team win at the Fylde Coast Athletics Championships. In a closely contested competition there were only five points between the top four teams, and only one point separated Arnold from runners up Kirkham GS.

Individual wins from Harley Greene in the 80m hurdles and the triple jump helped the team to success, as did a 1^st and 2^nd place in the 1500m from Abigail Lucas and Camilla Dunlop respectively. Katie Ashcroft came 2^nd in the javelin and Elizabeth Thorpe came 4^th.

In her first ever 300m race, Faye Shearer ran well to finish 3^rd and also, as a late substitute, she came 6^th in the 80m hurdles. Sashi Tadi was on form in the jumps, coming 3^rd in the long jump and finishing 4^th in her first ever high jump competition. A good run from Amy Bradley saw her clinch 3^rd place against a strong 200m field, whilst a sprint down the home straight took Annie Gillis to 6^th place in the 800m, much to the delight of the Arnold crowd. In the discus Lauren Au came 4^th and Sarah Longden 5^th.

Arnold went into the relay as favourites after winning their heat, but unfortunately in the final dropped the baton on the third change over. Luckily quick thinking from Georgina Read and Harley Greene saved the day. As the baton fell, Georgina picked it up and threw it to Harley, who caught it and carried on to finish in 5^th place gaining four vital points for the team!

This was a splendid team performance where every point counted. Well done to all the girls, especially Alicia Owen, Faye Shearer and Sashi Tadi, who stepped in at the last minute to compete in events that were not their own. Without their efforts the team would not have won.

Posted by: Miss G Raby
Date: Thursday 10/07/2008