YDL Lower Final Match

YDL Lower: WGEL Division 1 Champions! 

On Saturday 22^nd July WGEL juniors were crowned champions of UK Athletics Youth Development League Division 1B (South) after victory in their final fixture at Tooting Bec and will be promoted to YDL Premiership in 2024!

This season WGEL (U13-U15) YDL squad have competed in Division 1 after promotion from Division 2in 2022. Division 1 was always going to be a step-up, with well-established T&F clubs including Brighton & Hove, Croydon, Crawley AC, Cambridge Harriers (Kent) and Herne Hill Harriers and Team Bedfordshire providing stiff competition.

Despite the increased competition, prior to this fixture WGEL had performed spectacularly. Winning all three previous fixtures by clear margins at Bedford, Ashton and Crawley. Going into the final fixture the objective was to secure promotion and go up as champions!

YDL Lower: Fixture 4 (Tooting Bec – Saturday 22^nd July 2023)

The WGEL team bus pulled into Tooting Bec Athletics Track under bright skies. However, forecasts suggested heavy rain was on the way. It was all hands on deck helping track staff keep the fixture on-time and take advantage of early dry conditions.

Early events went the way of Croydon who took a small lead into the afternoon, but as the rain lashed down WGEL juniors piled on the points. Securing significant wins in the field and on track to overcome the early leaders and win the fixture by 120 points! 

Tooting Bec Athletic Track – YDL Fixture 4 Results

1) Woodford Green AC with Essex Ladies – 617 points

2) Herne Hill Harriers – 497 points

3) Croydon – 458 points

4) Crawley AC – 445 points

5) Brighton & Hove AC - 443 points

6) Cambridge Harriers (Kent)–395 points

7) Team Bedfordshire – 181 points 

 Full Results - https://www.ukydl.org.uk

Match Report –U15 Boys

Throws: In discus, sprinter Alex Foster continued to flourish in his multi events. Alex threw 23m 89cm for 2^nd A string. Jaheim Roman took victory in B string with 22m 81cm.

In Javelin, William Stander was 2^nd A string with 29m 67cm. Stephen Ng was 5^th B string with 13m 53cm. In Hammer, William Stander and Harry Stockill produced winning throws in the A & B strings. William threw 36.27m (PB) and Harry threw 20.36m. William completed his throws in the Shot, throwing 9m 49cm for 3^rd in a high quality A string competition. Kofi Amoateng threw well and was 1^st B string with 9m 11cm.

Jumps: In long jump Sammy Giest improved his PB, leaping 4m 82cm for 4^th A string.  Thomas Niewczasinski-Kirkland could not sort his run up out and did not register a clean jump. As with most events in the afternoon the weather was horrible for the high jump with beds resembling swimming pools! Despite this, Callum Clydesdale cleared 1m 40cm and was 3^rd A string. Rahul Solanki also jumped 1m 40cm and was 4^th B string.

In Pole Vault, Callum Clydesdale and Stephen NG continued to create a piece of WGEL history as scorers in this event for first time since 2018. They both cleared 2m and won the A & B string competition.

Sprints: In 100m, Alex Foster continued his comeback from injury running 11.80s for 3^rd in a very competitive A string race. Kofi Amoateng also ran well, recording 12.1s (PB) to win the B string. In 200m Jahiem Roman ran 24.8s for 6^th A string and Sammy Giest ran 25.3s for 4^th B string. In 300m, Thomas Niewczasinski-Kirkland put his long jump disappointment behind him by running fabulously to win the A string in 37.2s. Callum Clydesdale also turned on the style, producing a PB to win the B string in 38.9s (PB) and dipping under 40 seconds for the first time.

Hurdles (80mH): Conditions were blustery but thankfully dry. Rahul Solanki ran a PB of 13.6s for 4^thA string. Joshua Allen also ran a PB of 16.0s, picking up valuable points for 3^rd B string.

Middle Distance: In 1500m Daniel Arnold stepped up to A string and was 3^rd running 4mins 40s. Stephen Ng had a niggle after his pole vault but still managed 2^nd B string in 5mins 17s.

In 800m, Harry Stockill produced a PB, running an incredibly well judged race to win the A string in 2mins 03s. Lucas Freedman also produced a PB, running 2mins 17s for 3^rd B string. These were fine performances in very wet conditions.

Relays: WGEL 4x100m (Sammy Geist, Kofi Amoateng, Callum Clydesdale & Alex Foster) ran an impressive 47.8s for 2nd place behind the UK's top ranked club Croydon (46.40). WGEL 4x300m team (Lucas Freedman, Daniel Arnold, Harry Stockill & Thomas N-K) were first, running 2mins 46s and finishing well ahead of second placed Crawley AC (02:54).

Match Report - U15 Girls

Throws -In Discus, with regular throwers unavailable, Daisy Anderson and EvannaEze stepped up and produced two great results! Daisy was 3^rd A string, throwing 17m 01cm (PB). Evanna was 4^th B string with 12m 66cm. In Javelin, Amber Higgs-Smith continued her progress throwing 17m 90cm (PB) for 3^rdA string. Beatriz Alden threw 15m 71cm and took victory in B string.

In Hammer, Caitlin Hancock used her sprint power to launch a PB distance of 19m 82cm for 3^rd A string. Amber Higgs-Smith also threw a PB of 11m 25cm and was 4^th B string. In Shot, Beatriz Alden was 2^nd A string, throwing 8m 16cm. Evanna Eze threw 7m 58cm and was 2^nd B string.

Jumps: In long jump, Remi Salako produced a huge jump of 5m 48cm(PB) to win the A string and go 3^rd in the UK for her age group. Caitlin Hancock, back from her English Schools victory, jumped 5m 42cm to win the B String. In High Jump, Natasha Wynn cleared 1m 40cm for 3^rd A string. Beatriz Alden cleared 1m 35cm for 2nd B string, securing valuable points in horrid conditions.

In Pole Vault, Amber Higgs-Smith continued her fine day of performances, winning the A string competition and clearing a personal best height of 2m.

Sprints: In 100m, Nevaeh Johnson ran a Grade 9 time of 12.5s for 3^rd A string in a high quality race. Natasha Wynn was 4^th B string running 13.3s (SB) and supplementing her usual middle distance events, continuing her multi eventing on the day.

Nevaeh doubled up in the 200m, running 26.1s to finish 3^rd A string. Zoe Hedges ran 26.9s and was 2^nd in the B string race. In 300m, Caitlin Hancock blasted away from the field, running 43.0s to win the A string race. Daisy Anderson was also in great form, running 44.5s for 2^nd B string.

In hurdles (75mH), Natasha Wynn ran 12.4s for 3^rdin the A string. Team mate Ishana Malcolm made her debut running 14.4s for 3^rd B string in her first hurdle event of the season.

Middle Distance: In 1500m Ella Traynor and Juliet Taylor made their first YDL appearances of the season and both set PBs. Ella ran 5mins 24s for 4^th A string. Juliet ran 5mins 39s for 3rd B string.

In 800m, Faye Owers ran 2mins 38s for 6^th A string. Eliza Bridges ran 2mins 37s (SB) for 2^nd in the B string competition.

Relays: WGEL 4x100m team (Caitlin Hancock, Evanna Eze, Zoe Hedges and Nevaeh Johnson) ran 50.8s to take victory ahead of Croydon. WGEL 4x300m team (Daisy Anderson, Faye Owers, Eliza Bridges and Natasha Wynn) ran 3mins 02s for a fine victory ahead of Brighton & Hove.

Match Report - U13 Boys

Throws: In Javelin Kian Traynor and Eric Frith continue to progress under Coach Paul Cheal. Kian threw 22m 57cm and Eric threw 18m 13cm. They were both 2^nd, A and B string. In Shot Kian Traynor, threw 9m 73cm for 2^nd A string with debutant Cristian Scozzari throwing 8m 13cm (PB) for 2^nd B string. These were both PBs. Kian's throw would have broken the WGEL club record but for issues with the accuracy of hand measured distances disputed by officials on the day. 

Jumps: In long jump, debutant Emmanuel Olabanji jumped safely in his first LJ competition with 3m 48cm for 6^th A string. Aarav Patel also made his debut, jumping 3m 47cm (PB) for 5^th B string. Both boys are learning new skills and adding to their multi event abilities. In high jump, Toby Taylor won the A string with a height of 1m 49m in horrible wet conditions. Daniel Niewczasinski-Kirkland cleared 1m 35cm and won the B String competition, thus securing maximum points for team WGEL.

Sprints: in 75m Lawrence Foster was outstanding, producing another Grade 9 UK Athletics performance time of 9.8s to win the A string race. Debutant Ethan Rawlings ran well with 11.3s for 3^rd B string. In 150m Lawrence Foster was outstanding again, winning the A string in 18.2s. Cristian Scozzari made his track debut running 22.01s (PB) for 5^th B string.  

Hurdles (75mH): Daniel Niewczasinski-Kirkland continued his fine season with victory in the A string. Daniel ran 11.60s and currently ranks No. 1 in the UK. Toby Taylor, newer to the event but equally talented, ran 13.10s to win the B string. Well done boys and hurdles Coach Genis Chan.

Middle distance:  In 1200m Zac Freedman stepped up into the A string, finishing 5^th in 4mins 29s (PB). Eric Frith ran 4mins 30s, one second off his PB, for 2^nd B string. In 800m Emmanuel Olabanji made his track debut. He ran 2mins 48s for 5^th A string. Tayo Adetona ran 2mins 44s for 3^rd B string.

Relays: WGEL 4x100m team (Tayo Adetona, Daniel N-K, Toby Taylor & Lawrence Foster) ran 53.2s to take victory, 2 seconds ahead of second placed Croydon.

U13 Girls – Match Report

Throws: In Shot, Tyleah Edwards was 3^rd A string with 9m 26cm (PB) in very strong competition. Bianca Matos continued her progress, throwing 6m 23cm for 2^nd B string. In Javelin, Isabelle Stander made her debut, following her brother William into the long throws. Isabelle threw 16m 31cm for 2^nd A string. Bianca Matos threw 8m 89cm for 4^th B string.

Jumps: In long jump, Isabella Wheatley made her debut in the event, jumping 3m 52cm for 6^th in the A string. Tare Akpoveta also debuted, jumping 3m 38cm for 5^th B string. In high Jump, Isabella Moulton cleared 1m 25cm for 2^nd A string with Phoebe Whelan jumping 1m 20cm for 2^nd B string. In miserable conditions these were two excellent performances.

In 75m sprints, Joy Larinde stepped up to the A string and was 5^th in 10.7s. Tare Akpoveta was 3^rd B string with 11.0s. Joy Larinde doubled up in the 150m and ran a PB of 20.6s to finish 3^rd A string. Phoebe Whelan continued her sprint journey by clocking a PB of 21.70s and 3^rd B string.

In hurdles (70mH) Isabella Moulton ran a Grade 9 performance of 11.50 (PB). She finished neck and neck with Reid of Croydon. Reid was given the decision and Isabella was placed 2^ndA string. Tyleah Edwards was 3^rd B string, running 14.3s. Both girls are progressing well in our excellent junior hurdles squad.

Middle Distance: In 800m Zoe Wright made a superb debut, running 2mins 45s for 2^nd in the A string. Emilia Kozinska also made her debut, running an impressive 2mins 54s for 4^th B string. In 1200m Sophia Parker ran 4mins 21s (SB) for 4^th A string. This was an improvement of 9 seconds from her race in the opening YDL fixture. Team-mate Marissa Higgs-Smith ran well and was one second outside her PB, running 4mins 27s for 3^rd B string.

Relays: WGEL 4x100m relay team (Tyleah Edwards, Emily Stockill, Joy Larinde & Isabella Moulton) ran 55.2s for second place behind a very strong Croydon quartet (52.86).

End of Season- Summary

It has been an incredible season in the YDL Lower age group.

WGEL juniors got off to a flying start in their opening fixture at Bedford and never looked back, with the junior athletes excelling in Division 1. It is testimony to the whole squad, who rose to the challenges of the higher division with great gusto.

Clubs in Division 1 had big junior teams. They were well organised and WGEL's junior athletes faced stiff competition from lots of very talented young athletes at every fixture. However, the strength and depth of our WGEL squad and, in particular, high level multi eventing abilities, proved a big differential. This, combined with the incredibly positive attitude throughout the squad, made Team WGEL deserved Division 1 Champions!

A huge thank you to all the athletes, team managers, coaches, young athlete helpers, officials, parents and the WGEL committee. Support from the club and its commitment to the team has been superb. New long term initiatives for events like the Pole Vault would not have been possible without this support, and the 3 year plan “from Covid and Division 2 to the Premier League” is now a reality!

Next season WGEL will compete with some of the best T&F clubs in UK including regular YDL National Final Winners Blackheath & Bromley Harriers, Havering AC, Reading AC, Winchester& District AC and Tonbridge AC. The team will look to move forward again next season and who is to say a place in UK National Final is beyond this amazing WGEL squad!