B&B Junior women third best in Europe
7:18pm Sunday 25th September 2011 in Athletics
Megan Southwart (centre) in action in the 100 hurdles
Blackheath & Bromley’s Under 20 womens team are officially the third best Junior team in the whole of Europe. They achieved this ranking at the European Champions Club Cup for Juniors A Final which took place at Castellon in Spain. In equalling the third place they attained last year the team won a total of 10 individual medals from the 19 events including 4 golds and impressively a number of personal and seasons bests were set.
Team Captain Megan Southwart led by example winning the 400 hurdles, the opening track event, in a time of 62.02. The Great Britain International didn’t stop here though as she then finished in the silver medal position in the 100 metre hurdles in 14.26 a new personal best and the 6th quickest by a Junior Briton this year. She was then a member, along with Rachel Dickens, Amara Lalemi Jacobs and Krystal Galley, of the winning 4x400 team who triumphed in 3.54.78.
Rachel had earlier won the individual 400 metres in 56.76 a time which was an astonishing three seconds clear of the runner up. Krystal also won an individual gold taking the 800 title in 2.20.23, a seasons best.
Sam Milner won the silver medal in the shot with a throw of 12.50, a new personal best at the end of a long hard season. She was also 4th in the discus with 42.32, just short of her seasons best. It was silver too for the 4x100 quartet of Georgina Middleton, Amara Lalemi Jacobs, Rachel Dickens and Grace Sheppard in a time of 47.62.
Grace also won a bronze in the 100 metres timing 12.15 just four hundredths of a second behind the winner. Amara was 4th in the 200 metres in 25.85.
Further bronze medals came courtesy of Lauren Stevens and Danielle Critchley. Lauren’s leap in the long jump of 5.58 was a new best. Danielle Critchley timed a seasons best of 4.58.95 in the 1500 metres.
Of course it was not just the medallists who helped the team finish third. Everybody had a part to play from Christine Lyston and Clare Parkin who were 5th in the high jump and 3000 metres respectively to 7th placers Jessica Jones (3000 steeplechase), Frances Read (triple jump), Ellie Duffy Penny (javelin) and Ellie Dumper (hammer).
Similarly the Club owes a debt to those who helped manage and support the team plus the financial backing of Biggin Hill Airport and UK Athletics.
In fact the Club were just four points off finishing in second place and had they had a pole vaulter they might have achieved this.
Team Manager, Tim Soutar, said how proud the Club was of the girls: 'To equal our best ever result in this competition – which we've competed in every year now since 2006 – with a significantly depleted team, was a remarkable performance. We knew we'd do well in a few events, but everyone stepped up and to bring home 10 medals was just astounding! We'll miss a few of the girls, who move up to senior ranks next season – Megan, Grace, Danielle and 'ever present' Sam Milner – but the vast majority of the squad will be back next year and there's no reason we can't do even better.'
When asked about the challenges of competing in Europe, Tim commented: 'The real problems revolve around logistics and funding, especially funding, as the Club, and the girls themselves, have to bear most of the expense of the trip. These girls deserve a sponsor, but it's very difficult these days to find one and so we all need to make some sacrifices: there's no question of us not making the starting line, be it in Spain, Poland or Serbia. It's an honour for the girls and the Club to be a part of Team GB and we need to continue to enable them to have that opportunity.'
On the venue for next year's competition, Tim responded: 'It's not yet been decided but it would be great if we could host it at the Olympic Stadium: the timing ought to work and although there would be a few hurdles to get over, it would be a terrific boost for the competition and for Junior athletics here... and how better to start the Olympic legacy!'
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