England U20 Champs 2022

24 July 2022

The England U20 Championships was one of the most successful national championships ever for the club with two athletes winning gold in scintillating style. 

 On day one Kaitlyn Sheppard took part in the U20 3000m. As the reigning Champion there were high expectations on Sheppard’s shoulders, but the Harrier appeared entirely unphased taking the lead from the gun. Sheppard stretched the field making it a fast race and continued to pull further ahead throughout. Sheppard crossed the line 9 seconds clear of 2nd place in a new PB, lowering her club U20 record by 0.42 seconds to 9:38.09. A fantastic performance from the Harrier who now heads to America to start university. 

Day two it was the turn of English Schools 1500m steeplechase bronze medalist Kiya Dee. At the English Champs Dee was stepping up in distance to compete over 3000m steeplechase, an event she had done only once before. Dee ran a well judged race, letting U23 athlete Elena Carey pull ahead, and working her way through the field. Once clear of 2nd place Dee then worked on closing the gap to her older rival eventually finishing 16 seconds clear of 2nd place and just 2 seconds behind the U23 winner. Dee’s finishing time of 10:45.29 lowered her club senior and U20 record and secured her the top spot on the podium. 

(Photo: Kiya Dee tops the podium)

Alfie Wood has enjoyed a breakthrough season this year in the long jump clearing 7 metres for the first time. Wood put together a solid series of jumps with a best of 6.71 to finish 7th.