YDL Lower: WGEL Crowned League Champions!
On Sat 30th July, WGEL’s junior athletics team were crowned champions of UK Athletics Youth Development League (YDL) Division 2B (South)!
The team celebrated after a stunning victory in the final YDL fixture of season held at a sun-baked Wodson Park (hosts Herts Phoenix AC). WGEL juniors had already secured promotion to Division 1 after victories in all three previous fixtures. Despite missing athletes due to injury and holidays, the squad swept to another victory, winning by a margin of 230 points which was testimony to the commitment and depth of talent within this squad!
Final Result – Fixture 4 (Stuart Storey Athletic Track) - Wodson Park
1) WGEL AC–654 points
2) Cambridge Harriers (Kent) – 424 points
3) Bexley AC –392 points
4) Herts Phoenix AC – 361 points
5) Victoria Park H & Tower Hamlets AC – 304 points
6) Newham & Essex Beagles AC - 270.5 points
7) Lewes AC - 99 points
Full Results - www.ukydl.org.uk/Final LAG_South_Division.pdf
U15 Boys – Match Report
Throws – in the Discus WGEL athlete Milan Andrews was 2nd in A string with a throw of 23m 22cm. Joseph Arnold (turning to Discus in absence of a Hammer) won the B string with a throw of 17m 89cm. Milan went on to win the A string Javelin with 32m 61cm and was 5th in the A string Shot Putt (7m 95cm). It was a great effort from the boys who are developing well and have scored big points for the team this season.
In long jump, Thomas Niewczasinski-Kirkland leapt 5m 58cm to win the A string. Thomas has jumped consistently well this year and been rewarded with selection for Essex at an Inter-Counties in September. Alex Foster also jumped well, leaping 5m 2cm (PB) to win the B string. In the high jump Chiji Nwankwo cleared 1m 50cm and was 5th A string. Leo Everitt cleared (1m 35cm) and was 2nd B string. Both set PBs!
In the 100m, Alex Foster ran a PB of 11.4s (ranked 13th in the UK) in an unbelievable race. Alex was a fraction behind Nathan Graham (NEB) to finish 2nd A string. Thomas Niewczasinski-Kirkland also ran well and was 2nd B string with 11.8s (PB) behind another talented Newham sprinter.
The 200m was equally high quality with Alex Foster turning the tables on Graham (NEB) by taking the A string win. Alex ran a PB of 23.6s (Ranked 10th in UK). Alex will represent Essex in the 200m at the inter-Counties. Thomas was also victorious in the B string running 24.3s. Both boys looked superb!
In the 300m Lucas Emeagi continued his fabulous form, winning the A string in 38.5s (ranked 12th in the UK). His form this season has also been rewarded with an Essex vest in the Inter-Counties. Debutant Thomas O’Donnell opened his WGEL account with a B string win, running 41.5s and learning a lot about pacing after a fast start!
In the hurdles (80mH) Chiji Nwankwo (14.6s) was 4th A string and Leo Everitt (17.5s) 4thB string. Chiji is new to the event and Leo was suffering from tight hips. They will both kick on from here next season!
In middle distance, Luca Norden (4mins 37s) and Harry Stockill (4mins 40s) ran superbly together in the 1500m. Luca was 2nd A string and Harry won the B string. In the 800m Max Koschek (2mins 15s) was 2nd A string and Gregor Samson (2mins 20s) 1st B string.
Our 4x100m relay team (Leo Everitt, Jhonathan Ghebretinsae, Thomas N-K& Alex Foster) ran 50.8s for 2nd behind Newham (48.3). Our 4x300m relay team (Gregor Samson, Chiji Nwankwo, Thomas O’Donnell & Lucas Emeagi) was a sight to behold, cruising to victory to set a new club record of 2mins48.3s. This was a great end for Gregor in his last appearance for WGEL before relocating to Scotland.
U15G – Match Report
Throws – in the Discus Tess Noblet threw15m 71cm (PB) and was 4th A string. Grace Olusegun took 3rd in the B string with a throw of 12m 70cm. In the Shot Rebecca Wright won the A string with a superb throw of 10m 49cm. Rebecca doubled up to win the A string Javelin, throwing 29m 96cm. Amber Higgs-Smith also doubled up. She was 3rd B string Shot with 4m 93cm and 1st B string Javelin with 15m 10cm.
In the Long Jump Caitlin Hancock (4m 80cm) and Demi Salako (4m 15cm) took victory in A & B string competitions. In the High Jump Grace Olusegun equalled her PB (outdoors) of 1m 45cm to take 1st A string. Demi Solako doubled up her jumps and took 3rd in the B string high jump with a clearance of 1m 20cm.
In 100m sprints Caitlin Hancock ran a PB of 12.7s (ranked 34th in the UK) to take 2nd A string. It was a fine race with Emily Cadman (Cambridge H) winning in 12.5s. Nevaeh Johnson continues to progress and was 1st B string in 13s (PB). Nevaeh doubled up in the 200m and was 2nd in the A string in 27.5s. Team mate Eliora Arthur-Kennedy won the B string in 28.6s. Eliora continues to progress having recently joined the club.
In the 300m, Isabelle Kyson ran a superbly controlled race to take the A string victory in 42.6s with Daisy Anderson continuing her great form winning theB string in 44.6s. Daisy trains in the endurance group and has developed a taste for track this summer!
In the hurdles (75mH), Natasha Wynn ran 12.6s (PB) and was a fraction behind Lilly Gayle (Cambridge H) to take 2nd A string. In the B string Lexie Gobran ran 14.9s to take 2nd in her first hurdles appearance for the team.
In the 1500m Molly Sherrin (5mins 05s) ran well in tough conditions for 2nd A string. Tess Noblet (5mins 28s) gave it her all despite the field being strung out after 800m and took victory in the B string. In the 800m Natasha Wynn (2mins 18s) A string race there was an epic battle with Lyra Macdonald (VP&TH). Natasha’s calm head and speed gave her the advantage in the final 50m and she powered home to victory. In the B string Matilda Frith looked excellent, running 2mins 41s in the hot sun (PB) taking 3rd place.
Our 4x100m relay team (Eliora Arthur-Kennedy, Amana Oguntuga, Grace Olusegun & Nevaeh Johnson) were too hot to handle! They steamed home in 51.8s, ahead of second placed Cambridge Harriers.
The same was true of our 4x300m relay team (Natasha Wynn, Caitlin Hancock, Daisy Anderson and Isabelle Kyson) who flew round the track and set a new club record of 2mins 53.1s.
U13 Boys – Results Report
Throws – William Stander once again dominated the Shot competition. William won the A string with a throw of 8m 47cm. William produced a new club record at the last fixture of 8m 58cm. Riley Michaels also threw well to win the B string with a PB of 6m 32cm. These two have been tremendous this season!
In the Javelin Oskar Kyson produced another big throw of 27m 48cm. Oskar was 2nd A string. He set a new club record of 31m 41cm in the last fixture, but was just behind Jonathan Adegbola (Bexley) who threw 29m 98cm on this occasion. Kian Traynor won the B string with 22m 29cm. Kian is new and progressing nicely!
In the Long Jump, Riley Michaels continued his excellent form winning the A string with a leap of 4m 28cm. Teddy Newson stepped up to jump for the first time in the YDL this year. He produced a distance of 3m 69cm to take 3rd in the B string. In the High Jump Oskar Kyson took 2nd in the A string with a height of 1m 30cm. Teddy Newson doubled up his jumps to take 3rd in B string with a height of 1m 20cm.
In the 75m sprints there was an outstanding run by Lawrence Foster who recorded a PB of 9.8s (ranked 11th in the UK) to take the A string race. Riley Michaels continued his development as an all-rounder, winning the B string race in 10.2s (PB).
Lawrence Foster produced another PB in the 150m A string, winning in a time of 19.5s (ranked 12th in the UK). Toby Taylor was 1st B string, competing at this distance for the first time and recording a time of 20.9s.
In the hurdles (75mH) Daniel Niewczasinski-Kirkland continued his progress in the event with victory in the A string. Daniel ran a superb clear run and recorded a time of 12.9s (PB). He is currently ranked 13th in UK. Toby Taylor is even newer to this event and is also showing great potential. He recorded a time of 13.3s to win the B string. Well done to the boys and their coach Genis Chan.
In the 1500m Teddy Newson (4mins 13s) and Stephen Ng (4mins 13s) produced magnificent runs to win both A & B strings. The boys ran together and nothing could separate them at the finish! In the 800m Daniel Arnold produced his best run of season. He finished 2nd in the A string with 2mins 28s (PB). Zac Everitt ran a PB of 2mins 52s to take 3rd in the B string race.
The 4x100m relay team (Toby Taylor, Daniel N-K, Lawrence Foster & Riley Michaels) produced an outstanding run to win in a close race ahead of Bexley AC with a time of 54.5s.
U13 Girls – Match Report
WGEL U13 girls were on fire in the throws! In the Shot, debutant Beatriz Alden threw 8m 12cm to win the A string.Teammate Tyleah Edwards threw a PB distance of 6m 71cm to win the B string. In the Javelin Daisy Sherrin continued to show great potential throwing 19m 4cm in windy conditions to take the A string victory. Marissa Higgs-Smith won the B string with a throw of 11m 67cm (PB). All these girls were superb and scored huge points for the team!
In the Long Jump Remi Salako produced an outstanding performance, jumping 4m 27cm (ranked 8th in the UK) to win the A string, with Daisy Sherrin, in her first jumps competition of the season, winning the B string with a jump of 3m 24cm.
In the High Jump Beatriz Alden was disappointed despite her 3rdA string. On her debut she confused the rules and sat out after clearing 1m 25cm. Then with the bar at 1m 35cm she re-entered, but failed to clear. It was a lesson learnt and Bea will jump a lot higher in the future! Jasmine Hall was 2nd B string, clearing 1m 20cm. Jasmine had to rush to jump after her 800m race. She would have liked more time to recover, but nevertheless jumped well and secured the points!
In 75m sprints Remi Salako ran a PB of 10.4s to take 3rd in a high quality A string. Annabel Reid also ran a PB of 11.02 and was 4th in the B string. In the 150m Esmae Mahalingham was 3rd A string with a time of 20.8s (PB) and Remi Salako, doubling up her sprints, was 2nd B string with 21.1s (PB).
In the hurdles (70mH) Isabella Moulton was 3rd A string with a time of 13s. Esmae Mahalingham was 3rd B string in 13.2s. Both these girls are developing their skills and gaining confidence at every match.
In the 800m Jasmine Hall (2mins 32s) ran a superb race to take the A string victory in a close race with Celia Allen (Cambridge H). Teammate Faye Owers (2mins 46s) took victory in the B string. In the 1500m Autumn Le-Chevalier Jones (4mins 14s) was back to her best with a season's best performance to take the A string victory. Young teammate Marissa Higgs-Smith (4mins 46s) won the B string.
The 4x100m relay team (Isabella Moulton, Annabel Reid, Remi Salako & Esmae Mahalingham) contested an exciting finale. Remi Salako ran an outstanding bend to give Esmae the briefest of leads. Esmae then managed to hold off the VPTH athlete to take victory for the team in 55.2s. The smiles on their faces told the story!
Pole Vault & Hammer - Before the start the pole vault and hammer competitions were cancelled due to a lack of equipment. Pole Vault is an area that needs development (we need a coach!). The hammer on other hand has been a real success. WGEL U15 athletes Demi Salako (PB 24m 8cm), Joseph Arnold (PB 19m 85cm) and Harry Stockill (PB 18m 25cm) all took up the event this season and threw well in all the YDL fixtures. All the throws team have performed brilliantly this year, led by coaches Paul Cheal, Norman Simmons, Chris Howe and John Stow.The athletes will get some winter training under their belts and be back next season in Division 1!
That concluded the YDL 2022 season. It’s with a massive thanks to all the athletes, officials, team managers, coaches and volunteers for a tremendous season. WGEL juniors will be back bigger and stronger in Division 1 next year and the push to the Premiership continues #National Finals!