Welsh Schools Athletic AssociationCymdeithas Athletau Ysgolion Cymru
Joint Welsh Schools & Welsh Athletics Combined Events Championships
Saturday, June28th, 2014 at Newport Stadium
Many thanks to everyone who attended the Joint Welsh Combined Events championships at Newport last Saturday:
The athletes who competed, and to the parents and team organisers who brought them,
The officials, technical and non-technical, for all their hard work prior to and on the day,
The stadium staff and management,
And the first aid team, who were much busier than usual
Special thanks to:
The Meeting Technical Directors, Lynette Harries and Stuart Hodson
Sue Sayer, the Meeting Manager
Darran Williams & Alex Donald of Welsh Athletics
Ivor Adams, the announcer
Alan Lindop, for checking these results and the indoor results and helping us to ensure that they are accurate
Curtis Matthews and David Omoregie for presenting the awards
Of the 188 entries, only 132athletes turned up on the day,with the numbers in the under 17 women’s section being a real disappointment. There was only one of the 2013 outdoor champions in action – Matthew Collins (Barry Comprehensive, Cardiff & the Vale) in the senior boys’ section
Although the meeting was dry for much of the time, there was a spell of heavy rain and thunder which resulted in competition being suspended for a short while and there was a heavy shower later in the day.
There were two scores over 3000 points – from Aled Price in the senior boys and Harry Hillman in the middle section.
Senior & under 20
The numbers taking part were low – four in the boys and just Chloe Powell, daughter of Newport Harriers stalwart Keith, in the girls.
Surprisingly for a former winner in the under 16 age group at the Invitation Indoor Combined Events international organised by Scottish Schools in Glasgow, Aled Price (Dyfed) has never won a Welsh Schools’ age group at these outdoor championships, but he certainly left his mark on Saturday. He opened with a javelin throw of 44.22 metres, well down on his best but worth 504 points, with his Dyfed team-mate Jack Evans (Llandovery College)proving to be next best with 41.60 metres for 465 points.
Aled, a year 13 pupil at Maes Gwendraeth, was narrowly beaten in event two, the 100 metres. The victory went to Cowbridge year 12 Iori Moore (Cardiff & the Vale) on 11.43 seconds (767 points) with Aled consolidating his event lead thanks to an11.57 seconds clocking (738). Defending champion Matthew Collins was third on 11.80 seconds (691).
The long jump and shot (6 kg) were good events for Aled. In the horizontal jump, his best effort was 6.78 metres (762), into a 1.3 m/s headwind, extending his lead over second placed Matthew (6.14. 617) while in the shot his 13.45 metres put (695) was over 2 metres better than Jack (11.11 metres, 553).
Matthew claimed a narrow victory in the final event, the 1000 metres. He finished in 3 minutes 16.44 seconds (512), just 4 tenths ahead of Aled (509).
When the points were added, Matthew had to settle for second place this year on 2679 points while Aled set a new Welsh Schools championship best for this combination of events (JT, 100, LJ, SP, 1000) of 3208, breaking the previous mark set by another Dyfed athlete, Paul Bennett (3049) at Newport in 2010.
Last year, there were no competitors in the senior girls/under 20 women section. When she arrived at Newport Stadium on Saturday, possibly the last thing on the mind of Chloe Powell was a possible win. At a time when athletics in Wales badly needs more under 20 – and under 17 – women, we are delighted that she came, and we hope that her Welsh Schools senior girls medal and first place in the Welsh Athletics under 20 section will give her a boost, and that she will go away and train even harder.
Middle & Under 17 Girls
Only one athlete entered the Welsh Athletics Open under 17 women, but, sadly,she did not compete. On paper, there were more entries for the Welsh Schools’ competition but only six completed the first event – the high jump.
In what proved to be a battle between the year 10 pupils from Cardiff & the Vale and Florence Turley (year 11, Llanidloes, Powys), it was Niamh Galton (Cowbridge) who produced the best clearance with a leap of 1.53 metres (655), well ahead of Faye Gibbon (Bryn Hafren, 1.38 metres, 491), but Niamh then withdrew.
Radyr Year 10 Catherine Liguz then grabbed the lead after event two, the long jump. Her 4.31 metres best jump was worth 381 points, a score which put her out in front with 841 points, ahead of Faye (728).
Despite not being the quickest hurdler – that distinction went to Florence with a 13.74 seconds clocking over the 80 metres distance – Catherine was still in front after three events on 1397, with Faye her closest rival on 1293 points, and the order stayed the same after the shot.
With the weight of the shot reduced to 3 Kg this year, the final score meant a new championship best. Faye was the top performer with a best of 8.10 metres (406) with Catherine nearly a metres back on 7.16, a distance good enough to retain the lead.
After four events, Cath led on 1742 from Faye on 1699. Florence was third (1556) and Nel Williams (Plasmawr) fourth (1495).
The last of the five events – the 800 metres – is often the least liked, and can bring a significant change in fortunes. Although only fourth after four, it was Nel who produced the most determined run, crossing the line in 2:52.94 for 434 points. Florence followed on 2:57.92 (385) with Faye third (3:02.63, 341) and Catherine finding the distance really tough and finishing in 3:22.04 (188).
When the results team added the points, it was Faye who claimed the win (and a new Welsh Schools’ best with the 3 kg shot) on 2040 points with Florence second on 1941 and then the tightest possible situation for third with Catherine (1930) getting the nod by a single point from Nel (1929).
Middle & Under 17 Boys
There were two notable non-finishers in the boys’ competition. Highly rated year 10 Ben Burton (Corpus Christi, Cardiff & the Vale) withdrew after the high jump with concern over a knee problem while experienced year 11 James Woods (Bryngwyn, Dyfed) no heighted in the high jump and did not continue.
Harry Hillman (St Teilo’s, Cardiff & the Vale), the 2013 double under 15 champion, was looking to bounce back following unexpected problems in the 100 hurdles at the recent Welsh Athletics under 17 championships in Wrexham – and he did that with some style.
He was quickest in the 100 metres hurdles, clocking 13.49 (859) to lead from year 11 Tim Williams (Queen Elizabeth, Dyfed, 13.65, 841) and another year 10 Rhys Harris (Birchgrove, Afan Nedd Tawe, 13.77, 827).
In event 2, the high jump, four boys cleared 1.69 metres – the Cardiff & the Vale duo of Ryan Grimwade (Whitchurch) and Sam Palmer (Llantwit) and Dyfed team-mates Williams Edwards (Queen Elizabeth) and Jordan Davies (Pembroke) but a 1.63 best from Harry kept him in pole position on 1347 points, with Rhys (1315) moving ahead of Tim (1260) into second.
Harry has been looking to achieve 6 metres plus distances consistently in the long jump, and he didthat. He was the top performer with 6.13 metres (615), into a 0.8 m/s headwind, with Rhys the next best on 6.04 metres (0.5, 595). After three, their respective points scores were 1962 to Harry with Rhys still clinging on at 1910.
The shot is another event at which Harry has worked hard – and it showed. His best of 10.88 metres (539) led the field by over a half a metre from Ryan (10.35, 507) with no-one else bettering 10 metres.
After 4 events, Harry led with 2501 from Rhys, now down on 2341, and Ryan (2108).
It was Jordan Fender (Cardiff High, Cardiff & the Vale) and Aled Phillips (Dyffryn Aman, Dyfed) who impressed in the 800 metres, coming home in 2:10.54 (592) and 2:10.58 (591) respectively but Harry was the third finisher (2:16.54, 501) while Rhys (2:26.46, 366) and Ryan (2:24.60, 389) found things tough.
The five events points score saw Harry claim a Welsh Schools/Welsh Athletics double for a second year, and he now has an impressive set of wins, indoors and out. His 3002 points score was the highest on this event grouping since Chuka Enih Snell set the best performance of 3140 at Aberdare in 1999.
Rhys clung on to second in the Welsh Schools with 2707 while Jordan’s 800 points enabled him to claim third place (2503).
In the Welsh Athletics Open, Ryan was second with 2497 with William Edwards (Carmarthen) taking third (1946).
Junior & under 15 Girls
The biggest field of the day – 30 starters – contested this girls’ competition.
Three year 9 pupils from Cardiff & the Vale headed the leader board after the opening event, the long jump.
Lauren Evans (Cardiff High & Cardiff AAC), the indoor under 15 winner last November, claimed a narrow lead. Her best of 5.06 metres (576) was 2 centimetres better than Catrin Lord (Plasmawr & Cardiff AAC, 570) with Sarah Omoregie (Bishop of Llandaff, 565) another two centimetres further back.
Talented hurdler Lauren was quickest in event two, finishing the 75 metres hurdles in 11.58 seconds despite a slight headwind. Charlotte Mitchell (Caerleon & Newport Harriers) was ranked second with 11.75 seconds (704), with Sarah producing a really gutsy run to finish in 11.85 seconds (692).
That left Lauren leading on 1301 with Sarah second (1257) and Esme Greer (Greenhill, Dyfed) in third (1194).
Sarah applied pressure in the shot, and the reduction to 3kg meant a new championship best at the end of the contest. Sarah was the only pupil to better 9 metres. Her best of 10.78 metres earned her 581 points. Lauren was next placed on 8.69 metres (444) with Catrin third on 7.71 metres (381).
Those 581 points put Sarah into the lead on 1838 points from Lauren (1745), with both well clear of Catrin 1505.
Tiredness and weather conditions played a part in the penultimate event, the high jump, with no-one going higher than 1.47 metres. Both Sarah & Lauren claimed the 588 points for a clearance at that height, with four girls gaining 555 for succeeding at 1.44 metres. That left the top two unchanged with Sarah leading (2426) from Lauren (2333) with Esme in third on 1970.
Lauren may possibly have triggered a knee niggle in that high jump, as she did not appear for the 800 metres.
For many of the 27 girls still in the competition, that final 800 metres is their least favourite event – and it showed. Only year 8 Taiya Jones (Cardiff Archers & Stanwell, Cardiff & the Vale) bettered 2 minutes 30, clocking 2:27.28 for a massive 721 points.
Only two more girls – Charlotte (2:34.34, 639) and Olivia Howells (Cwm Rhymni, Glamorgan Valleys, 2:34.76, 634) – bettered 2 minutes 40.
Sarah produced anothervery determined run to record 2:49.68 and the 467 points gained wrapped up the title. She finished with an encouraging score of 2893 (and a new Schools championship best), well clear of Lydia Thomas (Sir Thomas Picton, Dyfed, 2470). Charlotte was third in the schools (2410) and claimed the Welsh Athletics title ahead of Taiya (2408) with Isabel Breeden (Cardiff Archers), sixth overall, taking third in the Welsh Athletics championships (2323).
Junior & under 15 Boys
The equivalent boys’ event was a much lower scoring competition – and one that underlined that, if you want to win, you really need to be able to produce a reasonable run in the last event, the 800.
Shaun Zygadlo (Sir Thomas Picton, Dyfed) was the quickest of the 22 starters in the 80 metres hurdles. The year 9 dipped under 12 seconds, with his 11.91 seconds into a headwind of 0.9 m/s earning 716 points. Ben Paris (Cardiff Archers & Cardiff & the Vale) and Michael Thompson (Swansea Harriers & Afan Nedd Tawe) shared the next fastest time – 12.07 (699).
Kieran Grimwade (Cardiff AAC & Cardiff & the Vale), younger brother of Ryan, was the top shot putter. The year 9 had a best of 11.06 metres (549), ahead of Michael (10.26, 501) and Ben (9.98, 484).
That shot performance put Michael into a clear lead (1200) from Ben (1183) with Shaun in third (1126).
James Vincent (Cardiff AAC & Cardiff & the Vale), a good endurance athlete, was the top high jumper, clearing 1.71 metres for 552 points. That was 15 centimetres higher than the next height cleared (1.56 metres) by Kellen Jones (Newport Harriers & South East Wales) and Michael.
Michael still led after three, on 1634, from Ben (1550) and Shaun (1515).
Joseff Williams (Bro Morgannwg, Cardiff & the Vale) produced a personal best in the long jump (5.71m, 525) to head the field in event four, from Kellen (5.56, 494) and Mit Russell (Porthcawl, Glamorgan Valleys, 5.22, 425). Michael still led the overall competition (1935) but the opposition was getting closer. Ben was second (1919) with Kellen on 1907 and Joseff and Shaun on 1895 and 1890 respectively.
With the 800, Michael’s title hopes evaporated as he was one of the slowest with 2:52.92 for 103 points. James was the quickest in 2:11.21 (581) with Thomas Evans (Wrexham & NE Wales) next on 2:15.61 and Ben finishing just over 2:20 with 2:20.51 (444).
Those points made a huge difference. Michael slipped to seventh overall (2038) while, with three boys over 2300, it was that trio who gained both the Welsh Schools and Welsh Athletics awards. Ben won with 2363 with James second (2321) and Kellen third (2309).
Under 13Girls’ Quadrathlon
There was delight for one November indoor under 13 winner and disappointment for the other at these outdoor championships.
In the girls’ opening event, three west Walians bettered seven metres in the shot – Bronwen Stratton-Thomas (7.30, 354), and her Swansea team-mate Grace Thomas (7.15, 345) and Karolinka Bacakova (Neath, 7.08, 340).
Three girls bettered 12 seconds in the 70 metres hurdles – Grace Morgan (Cardiff Archers, 11.59, 610), Emma Martin (Cardiff Archers, 11.80, 588) and Emilie Davies (Blaenau Gwent, 11.83, 585).
That left Grace Morgan holding top spot after two events (925) from Emma (896) with Grace Thomas in third (842).
The long jump proved to be a nightmare for Grace Thomas as she had three no jumps, and opted not to run the 800 metres. Three girls bettered 4 metres, and one equalled that mark. Emma Martin had the longest jump (4.22, 359) with Grace Morgan close behind (4.20, 355) and Rosa Humphreys third (Swansea Harriers, 4.04, 3170.
Grace Morgan still held first place (1280) from Emma (1255) with Karolinka in third (1113) – but performances in the 800 metres changed that order significantly.
After three events, indoor winner Sofia Vella (Cardiff AAC) ranked only sixth on 1075 points but, as in November, she produced the fastest 800 with her 2:32.50 clocking earning 662 points. Three other girls went sub 2:40 – Rosa with 2:34.42 (639), Nell Butler (Blaenau Gwent) in 2:35.81 (622) and Bronwen (2:36.54, 613).
Of the leading trio after three events, Emma was the quickest with 2:55.14 for 412 points. Grace Morgan finished in 2:57.78 (386) and Karolinka found things really hard, coming home in 3:37.43 (97).
The outcome was victory for Sofia with a points score of 1737. Rosa was close behind on 1715 with Emma having to settle for third on 1667, just a point ahead of her Cardiff Archers club-mate Grace Morgan.
Under 13 Boys’ Quadrathlon
Two members of Swansea Harriers headed the field after the first event, the shot. Tyler Cook held first place thanks to his 7.59 metres put (342) with club-mate Callum Dodd in second (7.45, 334) and Ieuan Priday heading the Cardiff Archers contingent with third place (7.08, 312).
Daniel Murathodzic, the November indoor winner, was quickest over the 75 metres hurdles. His 12.03 seconds clocking was worth 569 points, a good score given that only two other athletes went under 13 seconds – Tyler (12.53, 550) and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Cardiff Archers, 12.99, 506).
After two events, that left Tyler still out in front, on 892, with Daniel second (839) and Callum third (801)
There was some encouraging performances in the long jump. Ben Petherbridge (Swansea) produced the longest leap (4.85, 354) just ahead of Daniel (4.84, 352) with Theo Cabango (Cardiff Archers) also over 4.80 metres, on 4.81 (346).
That changed the top order with Daniel claiming the lead on 1191 from Tyler (1131) and Ben closing to claim third on 1106 points.
In the final event, Daniel John (Cardiff AAC) the Welsh Schools year 7 boy’s cross-country champion made his presence felt with the fastest run – 2:26.22 for 369 points.
Only three other boys went sub 2:40. Ben was next fastest on 2:31.98 (299) with Dewi Paris (Cardiff Archers), the younger brother of under 15 winner Ben, finishing in 2:32.48 (293) and Samuel Clayton (Blaenau Gwent) clocking 2:39.41 (219). Daniel Murathodzic and Tyler were both over 2:40 with Daniel M finishing in 2:42.66 (187) and Tyler in 2:48.80 (134).
Those performances changed the order. Ben claimed the victory on 1405 points with Daniel Murathodzic having to settle for second (1378) and Daniel John storming through to take the bronze medal with 1342.