YDL Lower: Fantastic Start in Division 1
This season WGEL Lower age Group (U13-U15) athletes are competing in UKA Youth Development League (YDL) Southern Region Division 1 B after promotion last season as Champions of Division 2 B.
Division 1 is a competitive league. Established T&F clubs including Brighton & Hove, Croydon Harriers, Crawley AC, Cambridge Harriers (Kent), Herne Hill Harriers and Team Bedfordshire offer a step up in competition and an excellent challenge for the developing squad of junior athletes at WGEL.
YDL Lower: Fixture 1 (Bedford International Stadium – Sunday 7th May)
The opening fixture was held in Bedford. WGEL athletes were full of excitement as they gathered on the bus for the short trip up the M1. Conditions were good and with a traditionally “fast” track on offer expectations were high. The athletes certainly responded to the challenge. They set 3 new club records, smashed numerous PBs and were outstanding on the track and in the field – and won the fixture by over 100 points from second placed Brighton & Hove AC.
Bedford International Stadium – Fixture 1 Results:
1) Woodford Green AC with Essex Ladies – 662 points
2) Brighton & Hove - 553.5 points
3) Herne Hill Harriers – 465 points
4) Crawley AC – 460 points
5) Croydon Harriers – 404 points
6) Cambridge Harriers –397 points
7) Team Bedfordshire – 348.5 points
Match Report - U15 Boys
Throws: Alex Foster, restricted from sprints whilst recovering from injury, turned his hand to Discus and was 4th in the A-string, throwing 18m 30cm. Leo Everitt was 2nd in the B-string with 18m 20cm. In the Javelin, Oliver Brown was 6th A-string with 15m 17cm and Stephen Ng 4th B-string with 11m 45cm.
In the Hammer Harry Stockill, known for middle distance running, continued his progress in throws from last season and was 2nd in the A-String with 20m 97cm. Leo Everitt scored excellent points with a throw of 15m 63cm and was 1st in the B-string. In the Shot, Kofi Amoateng was 6th in a competitive A-string event. He threw 8m 28cm. Joshua Allen was 5th B-string with a throw of 4m 89cm.
Jumps: In the long jump Thomas Niewczasinski-Kirkland leapt 5m 50cm for 2nd place in the A-string event. This was an excellent jump given Thomas has not been able to train as much in this event this year. Sammy Giest made a good debut jumping 4m 08cm for 2nd in the B-string.
In the high jump, Leo Everitt cleared 1m 45cm (PB) and took 2nd in the A-string competition. Callum Clydesdale jumped 1m 40cm for 2nd B string. Both boys outdoors jumping has been limited due to weather in recent months and they will go higher!
In the Pole Vault, Callum Clydesdale created a piece of history as the first scoring WGEL junior in the YDL (since 2018). He cleared 1m 90cm and was 1st in the A-string competition. Stephen Ng cleared 1m 70cm and was just below the starting height of 1m 80cm – next time! This was a great effort from the boys who are founder members of the recently established PV group.
Sprints: 100m, Thomas Niewczasinski-Kirkland ran a top ranked England Athletics Performance (Grade 9) of 11.53s for 2nd in the A-string. Sammy Giest also ran a high ranking time of 12.47 in a competitive race and was 2nd B-string. The 200m was equally high quality. Callum Clydesdale ran 24.51s for 2nd A-string. In the B-string Jahiem Roman pulled up with a sore hamstring (DNF).
In the 300m, Thomas Niewczasinski-Kirkland continued his fabulous form 
with another grade 9 ranked timeto win the A-string race in 37.34s. Rahul Solanki, in his 300m debut, ran 43.49s for 2nd place B-string.
Hurdles: (80mH), Josh Allen ran 16.37s and was 5th A-string. Rahul Solanki made another debut in this event and ran 14.51s for 3rd B-string.
Middle Distance: In 1500m Luca Norden ran a superb 4mins 22s to win the A-string. Rahul Solanki replaced the injured Stephen Ng. He jogged round to collect points with 5th in B-string.
In the 800m, Harry Stockill ran well for 2mins 08s and 2nd A-string. Daniel Arnold stepped up to the U15 age group with no problem. He ran 2mins 24s for 4th in the B-string competition.
Relays: WGEL 4x100m (Rahul Solanki, Sammy Geist, Kofi Amoateng and Callum Clydesdale) team ran 49.17s for 2nd place behind Croydon Harriers (45.85s). The 4x300m team (Harry Stockill, Luca Norden, Daniel Arnold & Thomas N-K) were also 2nd. They ran 2mins 49s, just outside a club record. Cambridge Harriers team ran 2mins 43s and are ranked 1 in the UK.
Match Report - U15 Girls
Throws: In the Discus Tess Noblet threw a terrific 16m 93cm (PB) and was 1st in the A-string. Bethan Davis (PB) also threw well with 12m 06cm and was 2nd B-String. These were terrific throws from the girls who are more often seen knocking out middle distance runs!
In the Hammer, Tess Noblet doubled up throwing 15m 09cm (PB) for 2nd in the A-string. Amber Higgs-Smith continued her throws fest with 14m 32cm and 2nd place in the B-String.
In the Shot, Beatriz Alden was 4th in the A-string, throwing 7m 64cm. Beatriz will throw further and is just lacking practice at this early stage of the season. Amber Higgs-Smith threw 5m 48cm (outdoor PB) and was 3rd B-string. In Javelin, Beatriz threw 18m 83cm for 2nd A-string. Amber Higgs-Smith threw 14m 32cm and was 2nd B-string.
Jumps: In the long jump, Caitlin Hancock flew out to 5m 21cm with Remi Salako jumping 4m 77cm to take two great victories for WGEL in the A & B string events. In the high jump Beatriz Alden cleared 1m 45cm to take 2nd A-string. Faye Owers was 3rd in the B-string with a clearance of 1m 25cm (PB) in a close competition.
Sprints: In 100m, Caitlin Hancock ran a Grade 9 time of 12.45s to take 2nd A-string. It was a fine race with Isabella Akpoveta (Crawley AC) winning in 12.33s. Nevaeh Johnson continues to progress. She was 1st in the B-string race running 12.6s.
In the 200m Evannah Eze stepped into the U15 age group and was 6th in the A-string running 27.71s. This was a very high quality race with 6 Grade 9 performances and Ella Rennie (HHH) running a UK ranked number 1 time of 25.50s. Nevaeh had a niggle and DNS in the B-string race.
In the 300m, Natasha Wynn was superb, blasting away from the field she set a club record running 40.95s to take a fabulous A-string victory. Daisy Anderson was also in great form winning the B-string in 44.08s.
In the hurdles (75mH), Natasha Wynn ran 12.19 (PB) for 2nd in the A-string with team mate Daisy Anderson running 13.77s to take 2nd in the B-string in her first hurdles event of the season.
Middle Distance: In the 1500m Bethan Davies ran an excellent 4mins 49s, leading from the off to win the A-string. Tess Noblet stayed with the chasing pack and ran 5mins 01s (PB) to take victory in B-string. In the 800m, Natasha Wynn ran 2mins 14s to win the A-string race with Evie Mosanya running 2mins 44s for 4th in the B-string.
Relays: WGEL 4x100m team (Nevaeh Johnson, Zoe Hedges, Remi Salako and Evanna Eze) ran 51.08s for 3rd place. WGEL 4x300m relay team (Natasha Wynn, Daisy Anderson, Evie Mosanya and Caitlin Hancock) ran 2mins 57s for a fine victory ahead of Crawley.
Match Report - U13 Boys
Throws: In the Shot Kian Traynor made his debut in the event throwing 6m 40cm for 4th in the A-string. Eric Frith also made his debut throwing 4m 81cm for 3rd B-string. In the javelin, Kian Traynor won the A-string with a personal best throw of 23m 80cm. Eric Frith won the B string with 15m 57cm. This was a tremendous effort from the boys.
Jumps: In the long jump, Lawrence Foster leapt 4m 49cm (PB) for 3rd place in the A-string event. Daniel Niewczasinski-Kirkland jumped 4m 26cm to win the B-string. In the high jump, Toby Taylor won the A-string with a height of 1m 36cm, going close to his PB of 1m 39cm (indoors). Daniel Niewczasinski-Kirkland cleared 1m 25cm in his first attempt in the event and won the B-string.
Sprints: in the 75m Lawrence Foster and Alex Osagie were outstanding. Both produced Grade 9 performances with Lawrence running 9.46s and Alex 9.79s. Both won their A & B-string races.
Both boys produced equally spectacular runs in 150m with Lawrence Foster breaking his older brother Alex's club record to win the A string in 18.55s. Alex Osagie ran an impressive 18.81s to win the B-string race.
In hurdles (75mH) Daniel Niewczasinski-Kirkland continued his progress with victory in the A-string. Daniel's time of 11.8s (PB) is currently ranked number 1 in the UK. Toby Taylor, newer to the event, shows great potential. Toby ran 12.8s to win the B-string and is ranked 8th in the UK. Well done to the boys and their coach Genis Chan.
Middle distance: In the 1200m Tayo Adetona ran 4mins 21s and was 5th in A-string. Eric Frith ran 4mins 28s and was 4th B-string. In 800m Toby Taylor showed his all-round abilities running 2mins 34s for 4th in the A-string race. Oskar Prince made his debut for the club on the track and took 3rd in the B-string with a good run of 2mins 46s.
Relays: WGEL 4x100m team (Toby Taylor, Daniel N-K, Alex Osagie and Lawrence Foster) produced an outstanding run with a time of 51.52 to break the club record and take victory ahead of Croydon in second (52.98) and Brighton & Hove AC in third (56.49).
U13 Girls – Match Report
Throws: In Shot, Tyleah Edwards threw 7m 49cm to win the A-string competition. Bianca Matos made her debut throwing 4m 05cm for 4th in B-string.
The Javelin was a strong competition. Rosie Austin (Brighton & Hove) won the A-String with 24m 84 and 5th in UK. WGEL’s Bianca Matos threw 13m 89cm for 5th. Marissa Higgs-Smith threw 12m 09cm for 3rd in a close B-string event with less than 50cm separating the top 3.
Jumps: In the long jump Sophia Parker jumped 3m 63cm for 5th in the A-string with Phoebe Whelan jumping 3m 14cm for 4th B-string. In the high Jump, Isabella Moulton jumped 1m 30cm for 2nd in the A-string. Phoebe Whelan doubled up in jumps clearing 1m 25cm for 2nd in B-string.
In the 75m sprints, Tyleaha Edwards ran 10.76s to take 4th in high A-string race. Joy Larinde made her debut running an excellent 10.42s to win the B-String. Joy Larinde doubled her sprints in 150m and was 4th in A-string in 21.10s. Emily Stockill, another debutant, was 3rd in the B-string, running 21.68s.
In the hurdles (70mH) Isabella Moulton ran a Grade 8 performance of 11.92s (PB) to win the A-string race. Isabella is currently ranked 9th in the UK. Tyleah Edwards was 3rd in the B-string running 13.44s. Both girls are progressing well in an excellent junior hurdles squad.
Middle distance: Eva Prince made her club track debut in the 800m. Eva ran 2mins 48s for 6th in high quality A-String race. MayowaAlanke-Nyantakyi ran 3mins for 6th in the B-string. In Division 2 last season times of 2min 45s would have been top three in A-string and won the B-string - such is the higher standard of Division 1!
In the 1200m Sophia Parker ran 4mins 30s for 6th A-string with team-mate Isla Barron running 4mins 53s for 5th B-string. Again, these times would have scored very highly in Division 2 last season and show the step up to Division 1.
Relays: WGEL 4x100m relay team (Tyleah Edwards, Emily Stockill, Joy Larinde & Isabella Moulton) ran 55.2s for second place behind Croydon Harriers (52.86).
Fixture 1 – Summary
The opening fixture was a real success. The team excelled in a higher standard of competition. The teams that make up Division 1 have big junior squads. WGEL juniors face very stiff competition for promotion this season. However, there is a real buzz around the squad and a victory of over 100 points over second placed Brighton & Hove AC and 200 points ahead of third placed Herne Hill Harriers is testimony to the depth and strength of WGEL junior squads.
Thanks to all the team managers, coaches and the incredible officials who helped on the day and continue to support the team. The squads push to the YDL Premiership continues!