Athletes called up
7:12am Monday 18th July 2011 in Athletics By Pat Calnan
Ed Harrison’s reward for his recent fine form in the 400 hurdles was an invitation to compete in the Aviva Birmingham Grand Prix. The Blackheath & Bromley athlete finished 5th in his race and was again under 52 seconds, this time with a 51.77 clocking.
A number of the Club’s top Seniors competed in the McCain Jumps & Throws Fest at Hendon. Shaunagh Brown was the most successful as she set another new best in the Hammer, improving to 56.10 and edging ever closer to the Club Senior Record. She also threw 15.06 in the shot.
Lauren Blackie was 5th in her heat of the triple jump with a leap of 11.98 while Rachel Arnheim cleared 3.25 in the pole vault. Lewis Ely cleared 1.84 in the high jump but there was disappointment for Ned Quiney who no heighted in the pole vault.
At the BMC Nike Grand Prix at Solihull Ben Harding ran 1.52.70 for 800 and Alex Bruce Littlewood and Elaine Murty timed 3.50.74 and 4.24.01 for the 1500.
Two athletes from Blackheath & Bromley have been selected for the Great Britain team for the European Youth Olympic Festival at Trabzon in Turkey at the end of the month. Dina Asher Smith has been picked for the 200 metres an event in which she has run 24.68 this season. Rachel Dickens, who like Dina is coached by John Blackie, has been chosen to race the 400 metres, an event in which she is the fastest under 17 in the country this year with 55.07. This time is actually the 6th quickest by an under 20 in Britain this year.
The two will be on International duty this weekend as they represent England at the Aviva Schools International in Cardiff.
Both were in action for the Club’s under 20 team last weekend helping the team to finish in second place and, thus, strengthening B&B’s hold on a place in the National Final which takes place in September. With just a home match at Norman Park remaining, the Club head the table on 23 points, two clear of second placed Shaftesbury Barnet who in turn are two points clear of third placed Windsor. The top two qualify automatically for the Final.
Dina won the 100 metres in 12.14 while Rachel triumphed in the 400 metres in 56.14. Other A string victories came from Sam Milner in the shot and discus; Sarah Abrams, triple jump; Craig Morten, 400 hurdles; Phil Sesemann, 2000 steeplechase; and the womens 4x100 team of Dina, Rachel, Georgina Middleton and Grace Sheppard.
Things did not go so well at the Southern Athletics League match at Walton where the Club were last of the four competing teams. The main reason for this was that the Club only had one woman competing. What was lacking in quantity was, however, made up for in quality as Jackie Montgomery set a new Club record in the womens over 35s pole vault contest with a clearance of 1.90. She also competed in all other field events apart from the triple jump plus the 200 metres. Such a contribution would on any afternoon have seen her in contention for the Club’s female Athlete of the Match and on this occasion it was no contest.
Athlete of the Match for the men was Jermaine Alexander who was a convincing winner of both the 100 and 200 metre races. Particularly pleasing were the results in the throws where Steve Timmins (shot and discus), Andrew Jordon (Hammer) and Mike Van Den Dobbelsteen (javelin) all achieved A string victories. Mike’s 52.99 was a new personal best.
At the Southern Area Walking Association 20km Championship at Basildon, Shaun Lightman finished in 7th place in 2 hours, 16 minutes and 59 seconds.
Gerald Sterling was the Club’s first finisher in the latest Bromley Park Run at Norman Park. He finished 17th with Steve Pairman 19th and Graham Coates 24th. First woman was Justine Eastbury in 61st.
Ian Taylor was 7th at Lloyd Park with Rebecca Taylor 15th while Jessica Keene was 52nd at the Brighton & Hove event; Helen Godsell 24th at Riddlesdown; and Nigel Haffenden 23rd at Greenwich.
There is a special feature on the Club in the August edition of Running And Fitness Magazine which is now available in all good newsagents. Blackheath & Bromley caters for all ages, abilities and disciplines. For further information on your particular interest please e-mail enquiries@bandbhac.org.uk Alternatively leave details on the Club answer phone service on 020 8462 3115.
For all the latest Club news visit the website at www.bandbhac.org.uk
