THURROCK Harriers hosted the (EYAL) Eastern Young Athletes League Plate Final on Sunday the 6th of September 2015. Various athletes ranging in age’s from 11 to 16, took part in monthly athletic meetings over the Eastern region since April, gaining valuable points for the club, in order to take the club to the Plate Final.
Thurrock Harriers Youth team went up against Chelmsford, Norwich, Cambridge & Coleridge, Barnet & Shaftsbury and Decorum and Tring, to compete for the sought after Plate Award. Spectators came out in force to support the athletes, who were blessed with enjoyable weather on the day.
Various PB’s were achieved by the athletes on the day. Highlights from the Under 17 Men age group, came with a hat trick of PB’s from Charlie Splarn in 100m (11.7s) High Jump (1.60m) and the Javelin (30.14m). Max Hepher also threw a PB in the Hammer (21.93) and shot putt (9.68m). Kanmi Peters gained a PB in two events, he jumped (10.76m) in the Triple jump and the 400m (58.4s). Yinka Sodipo jumped a PB in Long Jump with a jump of (6.01m).
Under 17 woman, Natalie Cockerel threw a PB in Hammer, throwing (33.69m).
In the under 15 Boy age group, Kayode Odimosu also gained three PB’s after running the 80m hurdles in (12.5s) and jumping an impressive (1.65m) in the High Jump, he also threw a PB in Javelin (19.58m). Liam Chivers gained two PB’s, running in the 200m (24.8s) and a fantastic jump of (4.99m) in the Long Jump. Daniel Ogutuga ran well, achieving PBs in both of his races, 100m (12.0s) and 200m (25.5s). 1500m runner, Mason Hambleton ran a PB of (5.20.4s). Theo Adesina ran well gaining a PB of (12.1s) in the 80m Hurdles. Daniel Soyeba threw a PB in the discus event (22.05m) along with a PB throw in the Javelin of (21.64m). William Adeyeye also threw well on the day, getting a PB in both the discus (29.34m) and Hammer (24.81m).
The Under 15 Girls also brought home many PB’s. Lola Omowanile ran very well in both of her races with PB’s of (13.4s) in 100m and (29.5s) in the 200m race, she also threw a PB in the shot putt event (8.84m). Alex Gordon threw a PB in Discus (20.96m). Jessica Rowe also gained two PB’s, one in Javelin (15.65m) and the other in the 200m race (30.0s). Elise Milan-Vega also ran well in the 200m race, getting a PB of (31.6s). Kendrea Nwaelene gained a PB in the 100m race (12.85s). Jessica Whitbread jumped a PB in the High Jump with (1.35m), as did Funminiyi Olajide with a jump of (1.55m). Abigail Pain threw a PB in discus with a distance of (18.54m).
A successful day for the Under 13 Boys too, Frances Omowanile got a PB in the 100m’s (13.9s) and the 75m Hurdles (14.8s). Tosin Olajide gained a PB of (31.6s) in his 200m race. 1500m runner Harry Parker, ran in a time of (4.48.6s) a new PB. Oreolowa Adepegba threw a PB of (12.92m) in discus, as did Jamie Simmons who threw (24.36m’s). Liam Norcott also gained a PB in Long Jump, jumping a distance of (3.63m).
Personal Bests were also achieved by some of the Under 13 girls, Ruby Bridger gained a PB in her 100m race, with a time of (14.5s). Claudia Lane-Gardiner ran in the 200m, gaining a PB of (30.4s) along with Funmi Adewole who also got a PB of (31.6s). In the Throwing events, Chloe Locke threw a PB of (6.94m) in the shot Putt. Tily Monk gained a PB in the Discus (12.16m) and Katie Wildish threw (19.13m)’s in the Javelin.
The day ended with exciting relays, for Thurrock, the Under 17 boys team, Charlie Splarn, Yinka Sodipo, Emanuel Orebela and Nweike Nwabude, not only came first by storming way out in front but they gained a team PB of (45.3s). The Under 15 boys, Liam Chivers, Theo Adesina, Kayode Odimosu and Daniel Ogutuga, ran well coming a close 2nd place in their race. The Under 15 girls, Jessica Whitbread, Funminiyi Olajide, Lola Omowanile and Kendrea Nwaelene, also came first and gained a new PB with a fast time of (52.5s).
All of the athletes worked hard on scoring points for the club, who came 2nd overall on the day, losing to Chelmsford by 95.5 points, who are a much bigger club than Thurrock. In the Individual age groups, the Under 15 Girls was just beaten by Chelmsford by a mere 6 points. The Under 15 Boys also came 2nd, being beaten by Cambridge & Coleridge by only 11 points. The Under 17 Men also came 2nd, again beaten by Chelmsford.
The awards were presented to the individual group winners and overall winners on the day by Margaret Whitbread, retired Coach and former Thurrock athlete.
The Thurrock Harriers coaches would like to congratulate all of the athletes, for all their achievements and efforts over this competition and the season as a whole, the youth team are going from strength to strength and the results over the season prove this. Well done Everyone!.
