Emily Copeman – Team Kennet

Wessex League Match 1 – QUAD KIDS

Team Kennet Quadkids were back in action for the first league match of 2025 at Andover. In the Under 11 girls there was a team of 9 athletes. In the75m sprint, Praiya Foreman was quickest 11.60s, Hazel Balch 12.10s and Matilda Saunders 12.30s. In the long jump it was Ines Field who leaped furthest for Team Kennet with 3.29m, Saunders 3.23m and Foreman 3.14m. In the longer run event, 600m, Foreman clocked the fastest time 1:57:1, Saunders behind 2:08:4 and Marlie-Jai Proctor 2:10:4. Darcey Scaplehorn threw the furthest in the vortex 26.99m, close behind Saunders 26.19m, Field 22.25m. On the day, the girls team finished in 1^st place with Foreman taking 1^st place individually with 205 points, Saunders 2^nd 204 points and Field 3^rd 194 points. Also taking part Olivia Kwit, Darcy McCurtin and Isabella Chapman.

The Under 11 boys had 7 athletes taking part and it was Alexander Browning who was fastest in the 75m sprint clocking 11.40s, Harvey Barker 11.50s and Chester Bailey 11.90s. Barker leaped the furthest in the long jump 3.42m, Bailey 3.18m and Browning 3.12m. Bailey ran a quick 600m to finish with a time of 1:59 with Barker 2:07:0 and Lenny Wyvill 2:07:2. Barker threw 37.21m in the vortex, Wyvill 28.02m and Bailey 25.56m. Overall, the U11 boys also finished in 1^st place with Barker taking 2^nd place with 232points and Bailey 3^rd place 215 points individually. Also taking part Idris Gaye, Sebastian L Clarke and Jacob Williams.

Wessex League Match 1

Team Kennet Juniors Athletics competed in the first round of fixtures in the Wessex Young Athletes Track and Field League at the weekend, at Andover.

In a close match the Yellow/Blue and White Vests narrowly missed out on a match win but secured 3 out of the 6 age group wins.

Match Score

Waverley AC 366

Team Kennet 354.4

Radley 320

Fleet 310

Andover 180

Poole AC 161.5

The Girls section made the best of the team starts, Under 13 Girls showed the depth with a convincing age group win, day started on the track with the 70m hurdles with Elodie Burdett coming 4^th A string 18.1, in the B string a great win from Ella Parsons in 16.4, next up was the 1500m this saw a great solo run from Penelope Lyth to win in 5.33.6 and team mate Elodie Burdett secured a B string win in 5.45.1, the 800m Affra Bailey came home in 4^th 2.49.4 and Alice Stratford secured 2^nd B string in 2.48.3, the Sprints fared well for the club, Matilda Clare came 2^nd in the 200m with 29.4 and Orlagh Stratford taking 3^rd in the B string 30.9, the 100m Isla Ladds clocked 14.2 for 4^th A and Sophia Mahoney took 3^rd place in the B string 15.4, The 4 x 100m Relay quartet of O. Straford, Clare, Lyth and Ladds ran a superb relay to come home in first place in 58.6, while in the Non Scoring 4 x 100m the quartet of A. Stratford, Millie Barlow, Ayla Wyvill and Mahoney won their race in 65 seconds.

On to the Field Isla Ladds showed her strength to win the Long Jump with a leap of 4.09 and Clare made it a double with a b win 3.97, the High Jump both girls cleared 1.10 Orlagh Stratford taking 2^nd A and Masie McCurtin winning the B string. The Throws always secure TK high points, this was so in the Shot as another double win came from Affra Bailey 5.59 and Ayla Wyvill 4.61, Clare won her Javelin with 20.47 and two good second places came from Isla Ladds 18.19 and Penelope Lyth 9.58 in the Discus.

The under 15 girls will be strong for the club this year, they also took a convincing win in their age group on the Field a Double win came in the High Jump with Jess McCurtin 1.30 and Ella Cronk 1.25, Cronk surprised herself by steeping in the Shot and secured a 2^nd place with 8.47 and in the Long Jump Isabel Payne lept 4.68 to finish 3^rd place and in the B string Emerald Hill Sawyer won this string in 4.45.

The Track picked up massive points, Harriet Saunders won her 1500m by just over 100m in 5.05.20, in the 800m a double win came from Olivia Bentley 2.31.4 and Jess McCurtin 2.40.7, the shorter sprint races first in the 300m Hill Sawyer clocked 47.9 for 3^rd place, and a good second came from McCurtin 48.4 in the B string, in the 200m Bentley came 3^rd A string 28.3 and Cronk 4^th B string 30.7, and in the 100m Payne was 3^rd A string 13.4 and Hill Sawyer taking 2^nd place in the B string 13.9

The 4 x 100m Relay team of Payne, Hill Sawyer, McCurtin and Bentley saw them finish in second place 56.4

The under 15 Boys are also very strong this year, and TK boys showed their strength in the Field events, In the Shot Berkay Altuntas won this event with a throw of 9.09 and new comer Oscar Hook took the B string with 9.07, Both boys teamed up for another double win in the Discus Altuntas 33.35 and Hook 27.00 and Noah Lauder-Clarke won the Javelin with a throw of 39.19 and Josh Ladds taking 2^nd B string 26.95. Josh Brian took part in the long jump finishing 2^nd

On the Track, new comer Matias Huelgas came 4^th in the 100m 12.9 and Brian won his string 13.6, the pair teamed up in the 200m with Huelgas 3^rd A string 26.6 and Brian taking 2^nd B string 28.8, Lauder Clarke secured another win in the 300m 43.3 with Ladds taking 2^nd B string 48.6, Harry Smith came 2^nd in his 1500m with 4.59.4 and the 4 x 100m relay quartet of Lauder-Clarke, Ladds, Brian and Hueglas ran a superb relay to be clipped right on the line and had to take 2^nd place 54.2

The under 17 mens age group saw only two boys turn up for the club Turkay Altuntas won his Shot with 11.68 throw and in the Discus threw 30.97 for 2^nd place, Theo Nightingale came 2^nd in his High Jump 1.70 and was 4^th in his Long Jump 5.35

The under 17 Girls were 3^rd in their age group, mostly specializing in their own events, a double win came in the High Jump with Leilah Gaye 1.40 and Amber Stiles 1.30, in the Shot Zoe Dickson was 2^nd A string 7.44 and Suki Humphreys winning the B string 6.72, The Discus saw the same results with Dickson throwing 23.17 and Humphreys 19.85, Dickson came 2^nd in her Javelin 15.48, Amelie Tayton came home in 2^nd place in the 800m 3.00.8

Finally the under 13 Boys saw only 3 boys turn out due to other sports over the weekend, Jenson Nichols made his mark by winning the 100m in 13.4 and also winning the Javelin with 33.63, Alfie Cronk had a good day in his throws coming 2^nd in the A string Discus 14.08 and winning the B string Shot 6.57, with Nichols taking 2^nd A string 7.83, Josh Bailey came a good 2^nd in the 1500m 5.38.3 and 4^th in his 200m 36.1.

Tucson AZ USA Decathlon

Team Kennets Stuart Bladon shot to UK Number one for the Decathlon as he claimed a new club record of points tally with 7242pts in Tucson AZ USA finishing in 4^th place overall.

The day started with 100m sprint clocking 10.96 3^rd fastest time on the day, also equaling the TK club record, next up was the Long Jump, not going to plan he still lept 6.47m which placed him 8^th dropping him down the field, he went better in the Shot coming 5^th with a throw of 12.46, one of his favored events the High Jump he cleared 1.85 for 6^th place, to keep him in 6^th overall, and finally on Day 1 was the 400m where he claimed another TK record clocking 49.04 to finish 3^rd and moving him up the rankings ready for day 2.

Day 2 started well as he broke another club record in the 110m hurdles in a fast 15.2 6^th fastest on the day, Discus was next up throwing 37.07 for 8^th place, then it was the Pole Vault where he cleared a huge 4.50m just missing out on his P.B, this was good enough for 5^th place, edging him near to the top 3 overall, Javelin was the 9^th event and throwing 52.88 just missing his best, claiming 5^th, then finally the last event the grueling 1500m for the decathletes, but not so for Bladon as he stormed round to win this event in 4.37.5 which was 100pts short of 3^rd place.

Pre Season Open Meetings 2025

Team Kennet athletes were in action ahead of the track and field season at the spring open meetings.

At the Basingstoke & Mid Hants AC Young Athletes Open Alfie Cronk, under 13 was 2^nd in both his events, shot 2.81m and discus throw 15.48m. Sister Ella Cronk, under 15, finished 3^rd in the high jump 1.25m, 7^th in the 800m 2.51 and 5^th in the long jump 4.28m. Elodie Burdett Uder 13 was 4^th in the 800m. Also, for the under 15 girls Emerald Hill-Sawyer finished 3^rd in the long jump 4.39m and 10^th 200m 28.64s. Zoe Dickson Under 17, finished 1^st in the discus 21.36m and 3^rd in the hammer throw 21.58m.

At the Radley AC Kear Memorial Open Graded Meeting held at Abingdon Tilsey Park, Grace Williams under 9 finished 2^nd in her age group in the Quadrathlon with 208 points. Under 15 Harry Smith was 4^th in his 800m clocking 2.29. Isla Ladds under 13 2^nd in the long jump 4.04m, 2^nd in the 100m 15.10s and Discus throw 1^st 18.02m. Also, for the under 13 girls Quinn Joyce 3^rd in the long jump 3.61m, 2^nd in 200m 32.18s and 1^st in the 800m 2.46.

Matias Manrique Huelgas under 15 was 5^th in the 100m 13.81s and 2^nd in the 200m 27.08s. Zoe Dickson was again in action under 17 4^th in the discus 20.47m and 5^th in the Hammer 23.81m.

Over in Windsor at the Dennis Daly Memorial Spring Track & Field Open Meeting, Kenechi Akosa finished 2^nd in the 300m 34.89s and 11.51s in the 100m to finish 1^st U17.

On Sunday it was over to Swindon for the Mark Cawte Memorial Open Meeting. Ella McDonald under 13 was 6^th in javelin 18.09m and 8^th in the 150m 23.27s. Elodie Burdett finished 3^rd in the 600m 1.59 and 12^th in the 150m 24.16s. Will McDonald under 17 finished 6^th in the javelin 36.76m.

West Berkshire and North Hampshire 2025 Primary Schools Cross Country

The 27^th West Berkshire & North Hampshire Primary Schools Cross Country took place at the Newbury Showground in superb weather condition, the Event organised by Team Kennet Athletics Club saw some 70 Volunteers make the event successful for all.

It was to be another Record turnout again, which saw 52 schools taking part and 1597 finishers on the day, breaking its own UK record on the numbers of Primary school children at an event, which has now seen over 20,000 finishers.

The first race of the day was the Year 3 / 4 Girls, Zoe McDownell from St Andrews school took to the lead to stretch out over the 1.28mile course to take the win, Rosie Armstrong from Woolton Hill School came in 2^nd place not to far behind, with Matilda Hogg from John Rankin school taking 3^rd spot.

The team Scores saw St. Andrews school take the team victory, John Rankin taking runners up spot and Thorngrove in 3^rd place.

THIS RACE SAW 362 FINISHERS

Next up was the Year 3 / 4 Boys race, Chester Bailey from Hermitage School also led from the start to pull away from the field to take the win, Matthew Jones came through strongly from Chieveley to take second and third spot went to Lenny Wyvill from Falkland.

The team awards went to John Rankin winning, with St. Andrews taking runners up and Spurcroft taking third place.

THIS RACE SAW 398 FINISHERS

Race 3 which was the Year 5 / 6 Girls saw Ella Larkin from Falkland storm away at some pace, she went on to win by over 100m, this being her 4^th successive win and the only girl to do so in the Championships which is a major achievement, Elodie Burdett ran a superb race to take Runners up spot and her team mate from St Gabriels School Matilda Saunders took third place.

The Team score saw Falkland take the win, with St. Gabriels in 2^nd place and St Andrews in third.

THIS RACE SAW 401 FINISHERS

Race 4 which is the year 5 / 6 Boys saw a record field of 436 finishers, this race was won by Riley Drake from Hermitage, Francis Baily then took the next two places, Benji Shelton in runners up spot and Shun Marter taking third place.

The Team Awards went to Francis Baily taking the win with John Rankin in runners up spot and Woolton Hill taking third place

The overall school winners on the day were John Rankin, this was first time they have won this, runners Up were St. Andrews, Third place went to Falkland with Thorngrove in 4^th and Francis Baily in 5^th place.

The Small Schools Trophy went to Streatley School, with Cold Ash St. Marks taking runners up and Basildon taking third place.

The Hampshire Schools Trophy went to Thorngrove School, with Woolton Hill taking Runners up and Kingsclere in third place.

The B Team Award went to John Rankin.

The League Divisions saw the Following

League Div 1

1^st John Rankin

2^nd St. Andrews

3^rd Falkland

League Div 2

1^st Springfield

2^nd Cold Ash St. Marks

3^rd Basildon

League Div 3

1^st Welford & Stockcross

2^nd Woolhampton

3^rd Englefield

Team Kennet would like to thank everyone who attended the event and specially to all the Volunteers and sponsors, The event is the pinnacle event in the schools calendar for this area and all those who take part and run in this will cherish this forever.

See below link for event photographs

https://editpostphoto.co.uk/sytist/photos/cross_country_-_25th_march_2025/?fbclid=IwY2xjawJTy6VleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHcuJge-EE0d5JP3DePAVOoRDqKVqH0bktV56Mz-9agn_M_5g6-_Di-nfvQ_aem_GCs3qgNrmKvUbsexApNCtg

National Inter-Counties Cross Country Championships

Harriet Saunders represented Hampshire at the National Inter-Counties Championships held at Wollaton Park, Nottingham today. Testing herself against the very best athletes in the UK she produced an excellent performance on an undulating course and, in a very tightly packed field, finished 52nd out of the 308 qualifiers and 4th placed Hampshire runner.

Basingstoke Junior Cross Country Match 3

Team Kennet were in full action in the Basingstoke Junior Cross Country League being held at Wellesley Woods in Aldershot over a much boggy and muddy course.

Lovely Spring Sun greeted all the athletes in the afternoons event, first up was the under 9 girls over the 1400m course, Isabella Chapman ran a great race to finish in 7th place, and Bella Dearns wasn’t too far behind in 10th place, the team came 3rd on the day with Gracie Williams 13th and Annabelle Jones in 15th.

The under 9 Boys had already wrapped up the team Trophy, but yet another solid display of team running made sure they took first team on the day to remain unbeaten, this time it was Matthew Jones coming home in 4th place in the Yellow Vest, with Lenny Wyvill 5th, Idris Gaye 7th and Chester Bailey 8th, other runners were Archie Pilling 14thand Rory Ridler 18th, this meant at the presentations Chester Bailey won overall and the boys won the team Trophy.

The under 11 girls were next to start over 2400m, Ella Larkin went off like a rocket to lead all the way round the course to come home as overall winner winning all three races, she also helped the team to win overall with her team mates Praiya Foreman coming home in a brilliant 3rd place to take 2nd overall, Matilda Saunders was 5th and Alice Stratford took 9th place, Olivia Kwit was next in 21stand Evelyn Barker 38th.

The under 11 Boys saw the biggest field of the day with well over 50 runners, Percey Reed was the clubs first runner home in 28th, followed by Joshua Kuijten 31st, Gethin Thomas 42nd and Jacob Williams 44th with Toby Clay 49th

The under 13 Girls again like the u11s, already sealed the team victory, they made sure they kept unbeaten all season, it was Olivia Bentley that took full control to win the race over the second lap to win her first cross country race, Penelope Lyth ran one of her best cross country races to come home in 5th, with Matilda Clare 6th and Ella McDonald 7th this was enough to win, Affra Bailey was next home in 12th and Harriet Saunders 13th, Harriet Saunders took overall individual win and Olivia Bentley taking runners up spot.

The under 13 boys were next to race, Harry Smith kept up his pressure around the course which paid off to come home in 2nd place this was good enough to take 2nd individual overall, Samuel Atkins was 11th, Josh Bailey 13th and Fynn Sanderson 16thtook 4th team on the day, and JJ Mercer came home in 18thout of nearly 40 runners.

The under 15 Boys and Girls run together, in the Girls race Amelie Tayton came home in 8th and Ella Cronk 9th and in the Boys, Rueben Kuijten was 9th. Although Anna Hall didn’t run, she took 2nd place overall in the league.

UK Winter Long Throws Championships

Ben East won the Senior Men’s Long Throw Championship Javelin today held at Loughborough University Track with a throw of 73.50m.

Berkshire Sportshall Regional Finals 2025

Three Team Kennet athletes travelled to Burgess Hill for the South East Regional Sportshall finals.

Sophia Mahoney and Praiya Foreman were part of the Under 11 girls team finishing in 5th place and Matilda Clare in the Under 13 girls team finishing in 3rd place. Congratulations to all.

Basingstoke Junior Cross Country Match 2

Team Kennet were in action again in match 2 of the Junior Cross Country League being held at Hartney Wintney.

The under 9 girls packed well to take second team on the day, Matilda Hogg ran well to hold on to 5th place, closing in fast with a good finish was Isabella Chapman in 7th place and Bella Dearns also had a strong finish for 9th place and to make up the team was Florence Randall-bird in 12th, Pippa Clay was the next club runner home in 27th.

The under 9 boys were next over the 1400m course, Chester Bailey left off from last week’s match to dominate the field to win again, Lenny Wyvill had to settle for 4th place, Idris Gaye 5th and Matthew Jones 6th were coming in together that made a team victory and second in a row.

The under 11 girls course over 2k saw Ella Larkin stride ahead from the gun to pull away to a 150m lead to win the race, Matilda Saunders had a better race this week to come home in 4th place as she worked hard up the hills, Elodie Burdett stormed him in 5th place and with Ella Parsons in 10th this secured another team win. Olivia Kwit was next home in 27th and Evelyn Barker 33rd Percy Reed was the only under 11 boy from the club he ran well to finish 13th.

The under 13 girls were up next, over a nearly 3k course Harriet Saunders worked well over the back fields on the 3 laps to win the race, coming home in 2nd place was Olivia Bentley producing her best ever race coming through the field with confidence, Penelope Lyth was next home in 5th place running most the race on her own kept it going, with Ella McDonald in 8th place the girls secured their second team win in a row, Affra Bailey was next home in 13th.

The under 13 boys were next Harry Smith after winning last week found the competition much tougher this weekend coming home in 4th place, good packing from Samuel Atkins 16th, Josh Bailey 17th and Henry Bell 18th was enough to secure third place team, JJ Mercer was next home in 20th and Ben Doherty was 22^nd. The under 15 girls saw the team finish in 2nd place as last weekend, Anna Hall ran a brilliant race to finish in third place and Amelie Tayton was next home in 11th and Ella Cronk 14th.