Harriers Head For The National Final

04 August 2024

Harriers dominate Premier Division to ensure progress to National Final
The young athletes from Cheltenham & County Harriers completed a clean sweep of Match victories in the Premier South West Division of the UK Youth Development League, and in so doing qualify for the National Final for the third consecutive year.
Going into the last round of the Premier competition, the under 13 and 15 athletes were in a strong position, having won all the previous Matches. Once again, they dominated proceedings, taking victory on the day by a margin of over 150 points.
In a quality competition at Yate, the young athletes put in some fantastic performances across all events. There were a number of double wins – Cheltenham athletes winning both the A and B string.
Stand out performances on the day included Jack Shingler continuing his excellent season – winning the 13 boys 1200m by over 20 seconds in a time of 3:36.96, and setting a new Club Record in the process. Caleb Green again impressing in the u15 high jump, clearing 1.70m. George Iddon , placing 2nd in 15 discus but with a new PB of 35.40m. Hugo Bucher – 46.74m 15s javelin. Alicia Taylor taking 2nd in the 15 girls 200m in a PB of 26.83; Louisa Morton-Ellison winning the 300m in a new PB of 42.41. Willow Kerr-Muir winning the high jump in a new PB of 1.50m. Omawumi Oritsegbone taking 2nd in the 150m in 20.49.
Overall, there were A string wins for: 15 girls - 300m Louisa Morton-Ellison; 1500m Scarlett Eagland; high jump Willow Kerr-Muir; 15 boys – 100m Red Fletcher; 200m Emmanuel Daso; 800m Jack Johnson; 80 hurdles and high jump Caleb Green; long jump Leo Malm Fairbrother; shot put Freddie Maitre; javelin Hugo Bucher; and the 4/300 relay team of Daso, Zac Litman, Henry Longden, Johnson; 13 boys: 1200m Jack Shingler; long jump Alastair Mackie;
B string wins for: 15 girls – 800 Rosie Atkins; 1500 Martha Marsden; high jump Lexie Wiggett; shot put and discus Caitlin Smith; javelin Verity Gaskin; 15 boys – 200m Darius Grant; 300m Zac Litman; 80 hurdles Fred Finlay; long jump Emmanuel Daso; pole vault Sam Jeenes; shot put and javelin Kai Broomes; 13 boys: 75m and long jump Bertie Brookes; 150m Al Spurr; 13 girls : 800m Nyla Abitimo-Jones; 1200m Megan Cowley.
The Harriers are now looking forward to the National Final, taking place at the Manchester Regional Arena on Saturday 31st August. This is a huge achievement for the Club. The UK Youth Development League includes Clubs from throughout England, Wales and Scotland. Of the 199 teams entering the competition at the start of the season, just 7 make it to the Final. For Cheltenham Harriers to make that elite group for the third time in as many years is a fantastic achievement