National Junior League at Leeds 27 April 2008
27th April 2008
National Junior Athletics League at John Charles Stadium Leeds
Having been promoted last season to Northern Premier League status, York Under 20 athletes were expected to be just cannon fodder for the more recognised national clubs in this league of 8 teams including Gateshead, Leeds City, Sale Harriers, Trafford etc. Not many expected our athletes to be able to compete at this level, but compete they did, and instead of finishing last, and despite the unavailability of some of our key performers, we managed to beat Trafford and Gateshead to finish a creditable 6th. This result should convince everyone, including ourselves, that we are not doomed to relegation before we even start !!
This was the first of four monthly league matches, and our athletes did us proud. There were individual wins for Morgan Bell and Luke Slater in the Men’s Hammer, for Kat Wilson and Sophie Hunter in the Ladies Pole Vault, for Al Jepson in the Mens 800m and Kirsty Taylor in the Ladies Discus.
Team spirit always comes to the fore at these matches, with some athletes operating outside their comfort zone, in events they are not used to, in order to gain extra points for the team. Typifying this spirit was Tom Hirst who not only competed in his throwing events, but also ran the steeplechase and the sprint relay. The Bambi-esque vision of Morgan Bell (hammer thrower) in the 110 hurdles and 400m hurdles was also something to behold !!
