England Athletics Senior and U20 track and field and combined events championships, powered by Citroën: day two - pressure, power and performance
Day two of the England track and field championships was all about applying the finishing touches to an early summer training programme. For the U20s that meant securing berths on the team for the World Champs in Eugene, Oregon next month while for the seniors it was all about fine tuning preparation for the rest of the season.
For some, that will be the Commonwealth Games later this month or European Champs in August, but whatever the goal, the result was always the same: a day of fabulous hard-fought competition where nothing but the best sufficed – even if it took a world record in one event! Here’s how the action unfolded on Saturday:
Seniors
To win a national title is always memorable and a tremendous achievement but to do it with a world record is nothing short of sensational. But that’s exactly what Tosin Oke (Woodford Green and Essex Ladies) did in the triple jump. His 15.34 was the world record in the M45 age group to make his victory even more remarkable. A 17.23 performer at his peak, he’s still competing at an incredible level.
“That was my second world record of the year, but I was actually hoping for a little more. I know can’t do 18.30,” he joked, “but I might be able to do 15.70.”
What’s his secret? “This is my gym,” he said, pointing towards the sand. “I train three times a week and it keep it as low impact as possible.”
He was also quick to praise his club, Woodford Green for everything they’ve done to help him over the years. “Right from the start, they’ve been so supportive, so I always try to give something back.”
Club commitment is always great to see, but few can claim to have demonstrated so perfectly as Callum Winchester-Wright (Denise Timmis, Lincoln Wellington) and Mabel Akande (Denise Timmis, Lincoln Wellington). Both powered to victory in the 100 metres, Akande winning first in 11.37 then Winchester-Wright following suit with 10.45 minutes later. An amazing double not just for the Lincoln club, but for their coach. A rare and memorable double.
In the women’s shot, Samantha Callaway (David Callaway, TVH) enjoyed a wonderfully consistent card, with five throws beyond 14 metres. Her winning throw and season’s best of 14.80 came in the third round.
U20s
There was a hush of expectation as Phoebe Gill (Mark Rowland, St Albans) eased to the front of the 800 metres. Already under two minutes this year and already an Olympian, in some ways she runs with a target on her back. She’s there to be beaten. But with every stride that looked less and less likely even for the keenest of sharp shooters. In the end, she powered away to win in a Championships Best Performance of 2:00.49.
“I was very nervous beforehand,” she said. “I felt there was a lot of pressure but it’s great to be back racing. After missing last year because of injury, I lost a lot of confidence, but that is returning. It’s all about rebuilding and that’s a long process. But I’m so happy to be back.
“Pressure is a privilege,” she concluded.
Another athlete with a lot of pressure on his shoulder was European record holder Jake Odey-Jordan (Kevin Schnexnayder, BeFit Track Academy) in the 100 metres. He’s clocked 10.01 and been under 10 with twice with a favourable wind, which made his 10.29 easing down win look almost average. Faster times will follow – especially at Hayward Field in Oregon which has seen some of the quickest times ever on its amazing surface.
“I wasn’t here for a PB today,” he said afterwards. “I just focussed on my lane and my own race and executed my plan.” It’s back to Oregon next for him, the scene of his 10.01.
Lily Bradley (Joseph McDonnell, City of Norwich) also booked her seat on the plane bound for Eugene with a great run in the women’s sprint, clocking 11.50.
Inevitably the 3000 metres steeplechase became a two-man affair after just a couple of laps. Both athletes have the qualifying mark for Eugene (8:55) so they instantly stamped their authority on the field opening up a big lead over the first kilometre. Then, with two laps to run Dillan Millard (Dave Lee, Taunton) hit the front and eased away for a comfortable win in 9:05.17 to defend his title. Bradley Andrews-Callec (Steve Purser, Jersey Spartan) ran 9:16.03. The women’s race was similar in that with the two with the World qualifying mark got away, before Ava James (John Clements, Brighton and Hove) seventh in the European youth champs edged ever further ahead to win in a Eugene-bound 10:19.60.
On the field, a perfectly timed fourth round personal best of 45.22 in the discus by Serenity Joint (Paul Wilson, City of Sheffield and Dearne) moved her from second to first and ultimately the England title. Elsewhere in the throws, Alani Dumbuya (Mark Edwards, Leigh Harriers) saved her best for last in the shot, winning with 14.41 although she did lead for the whole competition.
Combined Events
Senior men’s decathlon
The 100 metres is just the opening event, but it certainly hinted at what the level of competition would be for the following nine disciplines. Sammy Ball (Rafer Johnson, Reading) led the way with 10.88 to out-lean teammate William Alexander (Michael Dyer, Reading) who ran his fastest time ever to clock 10.89. Ball followed that with 7.19 in the long jump with his third and only valid mark.
Decathlons are all about fine margins, but he emerged unscathed on this occasion and could continue his prep for Glasgow and the Commonwealths. Just behind him in the overall standings, Alexander continued his good start with 6.98 with his first jump. Ball threw 14.02 in the shot just behind Harry Kendall (David Hull, Tonbridge) who recorded 14.12. The ever-consistent Ball kept things moving in the right direction with a 1.97 clearance in the high jump before finishing his day one campaign with 49.14 in the 400 metres and 4108pts.
U20 men’s decathlon
This was an event full of drama and excitement with the result in doubt until the final 100 metres of the final event, the 1500m. The 110H, which was the opening event of day two was a repeat of the 100 metres on day one. As he did on Friday, Luke Pichler (Daniel Njay-Rowney, Blyth) crossed the line first, this time in 14.98. But as he’d fouled out in the long jump on Friday and lost all of those points, it was second placer (third overall) Matejus Varnelis (Mike Stayman, Leeds City) who celebrated the most thanks to a 15.22 personal best.
Behind him, overnight leader Finlay Stuart (Taunton) clocked 15.32 to see 12 points chipped off his lead. But that was just a temporary blip for the Somerset athlete as no-one (despite four of the field throwing personal bests) could match his 43.80 (also a PB) in the discus and he stretched his advantage over his pursuers to 107 points.
Rarely for the pole vault, there was no change in the order as Stuart (3.40), Archie Hannent (City of Norwich) (3.80) and Varnelis (3.60) remained in the one-two-three as they headed for the javelin. This was far from over however, as Hannent’s 59.87 in that discipline suddenly made things very interesting indeed.
Stuart’s 48.83 meant just 37 points now separated them going into the final event. No one could afford to take it easy. And Hannent didn’t. He immediately surged to the lead and simply ran away from the field to not only win the 1500 in 4:35.90 but the all-important England title with 6753pts.
Seniors women’s heptathlon
Neve Davenport (Jessica Taylor-Jemmett, Trafford) got things rolling by taking the 100 hurdles in 14.23. But the high jump saw her drop back to third and it was Lily Holt (Rafer Joseph, Shaftesbury) who took over in pole position thanks to her 14.44 in the hurdles and 1.70 in the high jump. Scarlett Whittaker (Sale) slotted into second with 14.53 and 1.61 to her name. Holt’s 10.93 in the shot saw her keep the lead, but Davenport closed the gap thanks to a very good 12.71. But again she rallied with 25.82 in the 200 metres to conclude her first day in the lead. But she had to be in the best form of her life as Davenport was just 14 points back thanks to her 25.25.
U20 women’s heptathlon
Thea Brown (Ashley Bryant, Sale) ended day one with a superbly controlled looking 24.44 in the 200 metres and judging by her opening long jump, she was ready to take over where she had left off on Friday evening. Her best jump of 6.12 in the third round stretched her lead to a massive 490 points to confirm everything is slotting into place perfectly for Oregon next month. Although what event she opts for is still debatable. Combined events or long jump? She has a few weeks to make her decision. But back to the job in hand; next up was the javelin. Brown threw close to her best ever with 32.12 and added one more point to her overall lead as Welsh athlete and second placer Matilda Quick (Steve Ingram, Swansea) was rewarded with a lifetime best of 32.08. Brown capped a great day with a bold effort in the 800 metres. She flew through one lap in 67 seconds and finished with 2:26.99 for a final total of 5738, the seventh best ever.
“I’m actually a little disappointed with that,” she said, ever the perfectionist. “Training has been going really well; I have had a few niggles, but I’ve seen improvements and changes. But that was tough; I’ve never done a hep in less than 24 hours before!”
Important information
- Tickets are available here.
- Results and the timetable are available here.
- Photos will be available from Pat Isaacs here.
- Watch the live stream here