On Sunday 2nd June, AVEAC boarded a coach to the Pingles Stadium for our first fixture of the season, in our new league of Division 2, following promotion in 2023. The level of opposition has definitely improved but our athletes handled the stronger competition fantastically as we more than held our own. Competing at a higher level, and competing well, really shows the growth of our club since Covid.
This being Heart of England, we were able to submit teams at under 11, 13, 15 and 17 and though some of our age groups were a little sparse (having a Mini League the day before not really helping), we still got good numbers of competitors travel to Warwickshire for this opening fixture on a hot and balmy day.
Under 11s
We had a team of 6 athletes at this fixture; 3 boys and 3 girls as we managed to cover off all events as many an athlete made their Heart of England debuts. The boys’ team of Joseph Brackenbury, Reggie Taylor and Daniel Straker won their category with all three achieving seasons’ bests in the 75m and Reggie jumping a lifetime best of 3.20m in the long jump, just behind Joseph’s 3.26m.
The girls’ team of Katherine Turner and the Florences (Sibley and Protheroe) also did very well. They came third out of the 8 teams with Flo Sibley getting a PB in the 600m (2.21.60) and Flo Protheroe running a 2.28.70, 4 seconds quicker than her best.
The mixed relay team of Katherine, Flo Sibley, Reggie and Joseph ran really well to come third. With new members coming into the club at under 11, it’s a really exciting time for that age group.
Under 13s
Unfortunately, holiday and other absences meant we had a small boys’ team of just Marcus Parsons-Loades and Teddy Wilton. However, the two lads didn’t let that stop them as both were more than competitive in their events. Marcus is becoming one of the best throwers in the East Midlands and won the javelin with a throw of 16.55m. He came 2nd in the shot with a great 8.35m put, which was only an agonising 1cm shorter than his attempt the day before at Mini League. Teddy also scored his team valuable points with a 1.20m high jump and 15 dead in the 100m.
The girls’ team was larger with 6 athletes on show – Isobel Weller, Isla Douglas, Summer Biggs, Aimee Brackenbury, Maggie Flinders and Ruby Shore all wearing the yellow of AVEAC. In the sprints, Maggie ran an SB of 14.20 in the 100m and a 30.80 in the 200. Aimee also ran a PB of 15.40 in the shorter sprint. Isla kept up her profile as one to watch in the under 13s with great PBs in the 800m and 70m hurdles. In the field, Summer won the shot and javelin with one functioning arm, with good support from Ruby and Izzy made a trek from St Ives to run a good 1500m and leap to 1.20m in the high jump.
The boys did not have the numbers for a relay team, but Summer, Isla, Maggie and Aimee beat off Royal Sutton to secure 2nd in their baton change.
Under 15s
The under 15s are becoming our go-to group for numbers, which is not something we have said for a long time. The boys team came in with 6 members and the girls with a large team of 8.
The boys team came second overall behind a strong Royal Sutton team; way ahead of Witney AC in 3rd. On the track, Joe Moss ran an 11.9 to come a very very close second, whilst Ryan Ghai’s mastery of the hurdles is showing as he ran another strong race to come 2nd. Corey Fisher, who seems to be enjoying the longer sprints, ran exceptionally well to come 2nd in the 200 and 300, run very close to each other. Also on the track, our new member, Joseph Stimson ran his first 200m and 1,500m, as well as competing again in the hurdles. Great to see. In the field, Joe M set a PB in the shot of 11.07 to win that event and also threw the furthest of his age group this season in the javelin with 31.67m to come 2nd. Ryan and Corey jumped to good distances in the long jump, whilst Ashton Hayes set a PB with 5.12 in the shot put.
In the girls’ team, the large numbers covered nearly all events, and even ran three 800m runners (to the glee of those competing …). Erin Beresford continued her climb up the hurdles ladder with a PB of 12.9 and she set right her 200m time from Mini League the day before, with a 28.4, a personal best. Betsy Wilton ran a quick 13.4 in the short sprint, Ailsa McMillan ran 15.1 in the same event and a 49.3 in the longer 300m. Also on the track Jasmine Shore, came 3rd in a 28.7 om the 200m and a good 14.1 in the hurdles. In the middle distance, Madeliene Turner romped home to a comfortable win in the 1,500m (5.00.9) whilst in the aforementioned 800, Lucy Norman ran a 2.52.2 with Olivia Irvine and Bella Parsons-Loades scoring season bests, the enjoyment of the run being plastered over their faces, which was fantastic to see. In the field, Ailsa jumped a really good 1.35m in the high jump, and Madeleine and Betsy both sailed past 4metres to ease to victory in their strings in the long jump. Onto throwing, Bella threw the spear 14.31, just ahead of her teammate Olivia (12.71) whilst in the shot, Bella putted the former cannonball 7.34 to score a third-place finish.
Both relay teams ran remarkably fast against very strong opposition to come second in both. The boys clocked 52.8 with a team of Ryan, Joe M, Joe S and Corey whilst the girls’ team of Madeleine, Erin, Jasmine and Betsy were edged out into second place by one hundredth of a second; time: 53.7.
Under 17s
Alas, we could not muster a girl’ team, but Will Stimson and Jacob Hill stepped up for the boys’ team to score AVEAC valuable points. Jacob aggravated an injury so was only able to run in the 100m (13.7), but Will got in his three events and did really well. In the field, he jumped 4.90m; on the track, he ran 60.8 in his 400m before blitzing the rest of the field in his hurdles with a time of 15.9. His opponents did not stand a chance.
Next fixture and thanks!
Another great day for Team: AVEAC came to an end with a rather quieter trip back north (it was a long day!). The team more than competed against some very good opposition and, if we can get a few more numbers for our next fixture, we should be in contention again.
A big thank you to those officials that volunteered today and got the team some valuable points: Simon, Lucy, Heather, Rose, Andy & Becky as well as our team managers – Sarah and Vicki. And, not forgetting the gazebo carriers – that thing is heavy! Without everyone’s help, simply our athletes could not compete.
Fixture One down; onto to Tamworth on 23 June 2024 for the second instalment. See you on the coach!!
Report & Pictures – Richard Woodward