Essex and Eastern indoor medals aplenty
Over 50 Woodford athletes competed at the Essex and Eastern indoor championships at Lee Valley, with almost as many medals won as they were awarded by both the county and East region. Standing out among the winners were two championship records by brothers Daniel and Thomas Niewczasinski-Kirkland, in the U13 boys 60m hurdles on Saturday and U15B 300m on Sunday.
While the U13B 60m hurdles is not a widely contested event, Daniel Niewczasinski-Kirkland’s winning time of 9.53 was not only a championship best but also second placed on the British all-time list. Toby Taylor’s 10.12 for second puts him 4th on the season’s rankings. Lawrence Foster was a similarly convincing winner of the U13B 60m, in a 7.76PB, with Alex Osagie in third (8.24). Lawrence returned on Sunday to win the 200m in 26.38, reinforcing his second position in the season’s rankings in both events. Isabella Moulton took Essex gold and Eastern silver in the U13G hurdles in a 9.96PB that ranks her third nationally. Isabella was also second in the 60m flat (8.65PB) and second again in the U13G 200m on Sunday (28.95). Sophia Parker picked up an Essex gold in the U13G 800m (2:45.70).
Having convincingly won the English U15B 300m title last month, Thomas Niewczasinski-Kirkland’s 300m win was never in doubt as he came away with a 37.60 championship record. Callum Clydesdale had one of the busiest weekends, winning bronzes in the U15B high jump (1.53) and with 3 PBs in the sprints. Even busier was Caitlin Hancock, but she was frustrated despite taking home six medals in the U15G LJ, 60m and 200m, as all but an Essex gold in the 200m were not the colour she had hoped having been the highest seeded athlete for the 3 events. Remi Salako was ahead of her in second in the long jump (5.06PB), the same place Caitlin had finished in the England champs.
Marcel Winter came through 6 sprint races to takes a brace of silvers in both the U17M 60m (7.15PB) and 200m. Benie Massembo took the Essex bronze in the U17W 60m, having run a 7.97PB in qualifying. Shona Vincent just missed out on the dip for the U20W 60m win (7.69) but took Essex gold. Kharina Partridge would have won the U20W triple jump with any of her 6 attempts, with a best of 10.89.
WGEL’s first senior Eastern title of the weekend came late on Sunday, with Lakhesia Adams Poku taking the women’s 200m in 26.13iPB. Soon after, Denesha Rocastle sealed the SW triple jump with her first round effort,11.60. Lakhesia had previously taken Essex gold and overall second in the 60m in a 7.92PB. Hugh Williams was second in the senior men’s shot put in 12.15. Nathan Yao took Essex bronze in the SM 200m in an absolute PB of 23.66.