Teens compete at South West Track & Field Championships

Two of our Under 13's competed today in Exeter in the South West Inter-counties Championships. This is a significant step-up from the County Championships in standard and only just below the English Nationals, so no pressure!

• Ed Knight (11) competed in the 800m (qualifying standard 2m 40s = Level 3 PB Award).

• Aria Stavrakakis (12) competed in the 100m (qualifying standard 14.6s = Level 4 PB Award) and Long Jump (qualifying standard 4.00m = Level 7 PB Award!).

This was the first time they had run in County Vests, and they were both very proud to :

Ed looking relaxed before his race, while Aria does her warm-up drills

Ed hadn't run 800m at the Counties, but had done the 1500m, but his coach convinced the Glos AAA team manager that he was up for it. Ed wasn't so sure, so had a go at 800m on Wednesday during training! His coach thought he would do 2:35 and he was very close finishing in 2:38. Well done, Ed.

Aria had one of those days, we all have, from time-to-time. She was 6th in her 100m heat in 14.74s, a little outside her PB (14.59). Her long jump didn't go to plan, probably trying to run too fast and then having to slow down to hit the board, so Aria only managed 3.66m, which is foot (sorry for mixed units!) below her Power of 10 PB. She has been jumping in the range 3.90m to 4.10m in school and district events recently, but they are not 'official events'. However, it wasn't a "lost day" as she got to watch some top class jumping, which will help her in her development.

PS - the quality of perfomances at such events is very high. A couple of the U17 lads, I train with in Swindon, ran today also in the 400m Hurdles. Arthur won in a time above PB Award level 9 (which is as high as they go), so these events can be a bit intimidating for newcomers, but I'm sure Ed and Aria will be back next year (in the same age groups), the better for it.

Very proud coach, Dorian