West Yorkshire T&F League Match 1 Report

The start of the West Yorkshire Track and Field League kicked off on Sunday at our home at the Princess Mary Stadium. 33 Spen athletes competed in what would be an action packed day!

Starting with the Under 11 girls, where Stella Zurek improved her Personal Best (PB) in the 600m in a fantastic run to finish 4th place before going on to try the 75m and Shot Putt for the first time. Connie Walker had a brilliant day improving her PB time in both the 75m and 600m before trying the Shot Putt for the first time.

The U11 boys saw Joshua Myers have an incredible day improving his PB in the 600m, Long Jump and also the 75m. Raees Muftee was electric in the 75m to win his heat, also trying the 600m for the first time and jumping in the Long Jump. It was a PB time in the 75m for Aidan Rhodes as he sprinted down the home straight, then going on to try the 600m for the first time and also take on the Long Jump.

Eva Armitage sent a new PB in the 200m as a strong run saw her finish 4th overall not before leaping to a new PB in the Long Jump as well. Hannah Whitaker also had a strong run in the 200m to finish 5th overall and also set a new PB, picking up a PB and 5th place finish in the Shot Putt as well as a 4th place finish in the Long Jump. It was a day of new experiences for Maria Edwards as she took on the 200m, the Long Jump and Shot Putt with great enthusiasm. Lucy Hird packed her shoes with springs as she took on the 70m Hurdles and reached for the sky in the Long Jump.

Kieran Hird was the sole U13 boy but his determination saw a second place finish in his heat in his first try at the event, a first try at the discus and finished his day with a great run in the 800m.

There was no stopping Millie Rhodes as she finished victorious in the 100m with a new PB time, as well as picking up two 4th place finishes in the Long Jump and Shot Putt. Rosie Hildon competed for the first time and had an impressive sprint in the 100m. Both Poppy Nutman and Abigail Hildon competed in the 1500m for the first time and both had thrilling runs finishing 2nd and 4th respectively.

It was a hop, step and a jump into 2nd place as George Thompson tried Triple Jump for the first time, backed up with a 2nd place finish in the U15 boys 80m Hurdles and a new PB time saw a 1st place finish in his 200m heat. Reece Bridgeman also tried the Triple Jump for the first time and gained a well-deserved 5th place finish scoring points and gained a new PB in the 200m. Lawrence Carr was up to trying new events as it was a first time at the 80m Hurdles finishing 3rd, a 4th place finish in the Triple Jump along with a 5th finish in the Discus.

Olivia Myers set a new PB to finish 5th place in the U17 Women 100m, a 4th place finish in the 80m Hurdles on first try and topped off with a 4th place finish in the Javelin to create a strong points tally. Natasha Quashie turned her hand to the shorter distances taking on the 100m and 300m for the first time with great determination.

The U17 Men saw Joseph Trevett finish 3rd in his heat in the 200m at first try of the event. Seb Bartocha had a first try in the Triple Jump and finished 1st, a PB in the 200 to finish 2nd in his heat as well as a first try at the 800m. William McIntosh had an imposing run in the 200m to finish 4th in his heat. Ben Whitaker ran a strong race in the 800m to set a new PB backed up with an impressive display in the 200m. Robert Harness had a first try at the 100m Hurdles and claimed 1st place, along with a first try at the Hammer to finish 2nd and a run in the 800m. Ethan Williams heaved the hammer to a 1st place finish at first try of the event and also a first try at the Triple Jump to finish 2nd.

In the Under 20 Women Estelle Williams sprung to a 2nd place finish in the High Jump, before rounding her day off with two 5th place finishes in the 100m and Javelin. Emily Sharp racked up the points with 4th place finishes in the 3,000m, the Javelin and also a first try in the 400m.

It was a dominant display in the Senior Women for Molly Waring as she claimed first place in the 100m, 400m and also the High Jump. Isabel White continued her good form with a 2nd place finish in the 100m and also 400m with impressive runs. Soraya Crodden finished off a Spen one two three in the 400m with a 3rd place finish, a 5th place finish topped off with a 6th place finish in the Javelin accumulated good points. Summer Haynes leapt her way to a 2nd place finish in the High Jump and gained points with a 6th place finish in the 100m.

In the Senior Men’s Glenn Aspindle dusted off the jumping spikes to gain a 1st place finish in the Triple Jump as well as finishing first in his heat I the 200m and a strong run in the 800m. Jake Darby claimed a 3rd place finish in the Hammer and 4th place in the Triple Jump to start his points tally.

The first 6 athletes in each event and age group earn points towards their individual total and their club.
Individual totals can be found here: http://www.westyorkshireathletics.org.uk/wyl24index.htm

As a club we are currently sat in 2nd place in the 1st division with 189 points, only 4 points behind Wakefield in 1st place. A fantastic start which we can hopefully build on at future league matches.

Well done to everyone for competing and we hope to see as many of you as possible on Wednesday 8th May at Spenborough 6.30pm.

NOTE: All fixtures are now taking place as home fixtures at the Princess Mary Stadium - there are no fixtures taking place at Wakefield now.

Written by Jake Darby & Katie Myers