Team Kennet athletes were out in force at Andover Athletics Club on Sunday 25th May to compete in the 3rd round of the Wessex Young Athletes League. Although the day remained dry, the blustery winds resulted in very challenging conditions for runners, jumpers and throwers alike. Nevertheless, the team earned an overall second place finish with 356 points, behind Abingdon on 369 points. The other teams competing were Marlborough (323 points), Isle of Wight (203.5 points), Andover (199 points) and Winchester (168.5 points).
A large Under 13 girls team meant very stiff competition for places and, with excellent performances across the disciplines, resulted in a fantastic team points total and first place club in the category. Of particular note were A String wins for Quinn Joyce (800m), Penelope Lyth (1500m) and Matilda Clare (long jump) and B String wins for Elodie Burdett (1500m), Isla Ladds (long jump) and Penelope Gorbold (discus). Second place finishes were achieved by Matilda (javelin), Affra Bailey (shot putt) and the 4x100m relay team (Penelope L, Isla, Matilda and Affra).
The Under 13 boys produced a series of strong performances which, although not always resulting in a win, earned good points and helped secure the overall category win against some very strong opposition. A String wins were achieved by Louis Cartwright, Jensen Nichols, Seb Lane and Freddy Downer (4x100m relay) and Jensen Nichols (javelin and discus). B String wins went to Louis Cartwright (long jump), Alfie Cronk (discus) and Josh Kuijten (shot putt). Second place finishes were achieved by Seb (75m hurdles and long jump), Jensen and Louis (100m), Freddy (800m and javelin) and Alfie (shot putt).
The dominance of the Team Kennet middle distance girls continued in the Under 15 category with further A String wins for Harriet Saunders (1500m) and Olivia Bentley (800m) backed up by a B String win for Annie Warner (1500m). Olivia secured a further A String win in the 200m whilst Harriet won the B String 300m. Harriet, Annie and Olivia were joined by Isobel Payne to take victory in the A String 4x100m relay. Second place finishes were achieved by Olivia Rayfield (100m and long jump) and Olivia B (300m). Despite fielding a small team, these successes, secured a very creditable second place in the category.
The Under 15 boys were up against some tough opposition on the track and, despite gaining some strong second places and good team points, missed out on individual wins. In the field the boys showed their strength however with A String wins for Berkay Altuntas (discuss and shot putt) and B String wins for Harry Smith (long jump), Berkay (javelin), Rueben Kuijten (discus) and Oscar Hook (shot putt). Second place finishes were achieved by Harry (200m and 1500m), Frank Edwards (1500m) and Euan Jones (javelin). This team performance secured second place in the category overall.
The school exam season resulted in a reduced turnout in both the women’s and men’s Under 17 events but those who competed produced a series of excellent results. In the women’s event there were wins for Zoe Dickson (A String discus and shot putt) and Suki Humphreys (B String discus and shot putt) which secured an overall fourth place. The corresponding men’s event saw victories for Turkey Altuntis (A String discuss and shot putt), Haydn James (B String long jump) and Theo Nightingale (B String shot putt). Despite fielding a small team, these performances were enough to take second place in the match.
Well done to all who competed. The final match in the series will be held at Aldershot in July.
