Worthing Harriers senior team of 24 athletes finished a close 2nd in the final match against Nene Valley, Walton and Ealing, and with results at other matches going our way moved out of the relegation places to finish lucky 13th and ensure Division 1 status of the joint men & women Southern Athletics League.
In the High Jump the club’s international athlete Emma Perkins, Kayley Alcorn, Dean Storry and Aiden Coree took a winning clean sweep, with Emma also doubling up with Kayley to win the Triple Jump & 100m Hurdles and Laura Duke to win the Long Jump. Laura also gained double wins with Alison Duke in the Pole Vault, Caroline Garratt in the Javelin (during monsoon conditions) and Joanne Davison in the Shot Putt and Jo also won the Hammer. Overall the ladies only dropped 6 points out of the 64 points available in the field competition.
Patrick Apantaku and Dean storry also gained maximum points in the Triple Jump with Dean also winning the Long jump. In the throws Robert Duke won the Hammer supported by Lee Collison, with Robert and Richard Buckingham gaining another 17 points in the Shot Putt, Discus and Javelin. There were good performances on the track from under 17 athletes, Charlie Baldwin in the 400m and Ella Brasington making her senior debut in the women’s 100m & 200m and from U20 John Morrey in the 400m.
In the 800 metres Adam Stainsby and Henry Teague-Smith (pb) ran good tactical races as did Martin Footman (pb) and Henry in the 1500m. In the women’s longer track races Helen Pellett ran well with Susan Eames in the 1500 metres and with a track debut for Jill Lister in the 3000m who also gained valuable points in the 1500m steeplechase. Jon Austin and Grant Patterson competed the 5000m & Jon supported runaway winner Adam Stainsby in the 2000m steeplechase.
This match was very well supported and remaining in the top division will ensure good senior competition next season for our up and coming athletes, as well as in the Young Athlete’s League. Well done to all the athletes and a big thank you to the coaches, supporters and officials.
