Silverware
For DASH At North West Sports:Hall Athletics Finals.
DASH's Stockport Sports:Hall
Athletics teams lined up in the North West Sports:Hall Athletics League
Final at Wigan on Sunday. Four of our six teams had qualified, by
finishing in the top six in each of their respective leagues.
The Under 11 Finals were held in the morning, at Robin Park Arena,
Wigan. After last year's fourth place finish, the young team were
looking to finish in the medals. Despite two of the boys dropping out
through illness in the day before the competition, the strength in
depth and enthusiasm of the boys showed, as they went on to win the
team bronze. The morning was filled with excellent performances from
all of the boys, but one particular highlight was the 4x1 lap relay,
where the boys led for much of the race against bigger, older and
stronger athletes thanks to their immaculate baton changing.
In the afternoon, the older athletes came out for their finals, and
Stockport were represented in the Under 13 and 15 Boys, as well as the
Under 15 Girls.
The Under 13 Boys team has been the surprise of the season. back in
September it looked like their might not even be a full team at all,
but the squad of six came through to defy expectation and qualify for
the North West Finals. As a team of new athletes, led by the experience
of Joe Shaw and Anthony Frost, the boys finished in 6th place. In the
Speed Bounce event, the Silver Medal was won by Anthony Frost. Although
next season sees Joe Shaw move up to the Under 15's, the team should be
bolstered by some new arrivals and the athlees who move up from
the under 11's.
The Under 15 Girls team, qualified for the final with very little
experience between them, and in a very tough league, including
exceptionally strong teams from Sale Harriers and Liverpool Harriers.
The girls finished in 6th place, but produced some fine performances,
including a pesonal best of 73 for Gemma Kiersey in the Speed Bounce,
and a silver medal for Alyssa Edwards in the vertical jump. The team
says goodbye to Emma Ross, who moves up out of the Under 15's, but
otherwise remains intact to produce an even better campaign next season.
The Under 15 boys once again proved to be one of the strongest squads
in the region, with a 3rd place finish behind West Cheshire Ac and
Macclesfield Harriers. Gold medals went to josh sellars in the
Verttical Jump, and to Tim Frost in the Speed Bounce. Josh now moves
out of the age group but the rest of te team remains to charge for the
title next season.
Congratulations and thanks must also go to all the parents, brothers
and sisters who have suported the teams so well, as well as the new
team managers, Charlii Russell, Jess Yates, Matt Skelton, James Clark
and Colin Doodson. Do not forget the Under 11 and Under 13 Girls, who
finished in 7th and 8th places, just a few points off qualification.
New to their age-groups this season, next year will should see them
qualify. perhaps next year we will have six teams into the finals for
the first time ever? Who knows?
