The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
South Holland-based sprint prodigy William Hughes represented England at the weekend – taking on the best athletes the home nations have to offer.
The 15-year-old Nene Valley Harriers speedster travelled to Kent to take part in the Schools International Athletics Board Championship at Ashford and returned home with a silver medal and a new personal best (PB).
The Spalding Grammar School student knocked .05 of a second off his previous fastest time, taking second place in the 200m in 22.06secs.
Despite only being 15, Hughes is currently ranked seventh best under-17 in the country, as he continues his journey towards the top.
- Nene Valley Harriers had a field day at the Cambridge University Athletics Arena on Sunday as they finished runner up to hosts Cambridge and Coleridge in their East Anglian League fixture.
The Harriers recorded win after win – and may well have won the match – but for traffic delays which meant that manager Gary Huskisson had to shuffle his pack when some athletes missed their start times.
The senior ladies enjoyed a resounding victory, with event wins coming thick and fast. Kelsi Ellis was first in the B string 200m and Chloe Squires achieved the same in the B 300m
Ellie Mae Stokes produced a fine treble, with wins in the triple jump, long jump and discus, while the Church sisters Lydia and Alison were successful in the shot, 4k hammer and Javelin.
Nene Valley dominated the jumps, with Rosie Jacobs and Devon Spencer achieving a high jump double and Emily Maltby taking the A triple jump.
Priscilla Dadziea won the 3k shot and Alex Stubley the B discus, too.
The under-15 boys were also category victors. James Marsh led the way with an impressive 100m and 200m double. His 100m time of 11.7secs was matched by B team-mate Jordan Ford.
Lee Addison impressed with long and high jump firsts, while Jack Rolfe and Callum Robertson pulled off an A and B double in the shot. Middle distance men Joe Prince and Ethan Ellison were also winners.
The under-15 girls were the only age group not in contention for victory, but despite this Amber Park pulled off her now customary 300m and 800m double. Park was particularly impressive over 800m with a speedy 2.27.15mins.
Hana Ray wasn’t far behind, crossing the line first in the B event with 2.31.88mins. Olivia Mead took the B 300m, while Ella Robinson and Eden Oldfield dominated over 1,500m.
Veteran thrower Simon Achurch continued his fine season, winning the javelin along with the B Shot and discus.
The senior men were imperious in the throws and Martin Tinkler was first in the A discus and shot. Isaac Huskisson threw the hammer furthest and David Bush took the B javelin win.
On the track, Ashley Sandall ran 1.58.72mins to secure maximum points in the 800m, while there were B wins for Nathaniel Taylor over 400m and veteran sprinters Julian Smith and Ricky
Huskisson in the 100m and 200m respectively.
Flo Brill won the under-13 girls’ 800m in 2.24.95mins, while Josie Downer was first in the long jump.
Under-13 Freddie Fraser took the honours over 100m and the 75m hurdles, while Cermal Korkmaz and Freddie House won the A and B 800m. Adam Squires and George Harrison took the shot put honours.
Throwing star Charles Hughes won the B discus, but also surprised the team by making a rare track outing, winning the B 200m in a more than respectable 11.6secs.
Kai Harrison also won the B shot and there were further wins for Abraham Jones at 400m and Tom Lavender in the 100m hurdles and B javelin.
