England Athletics Senior & U20 Championships. Incorporating the Senior Para Championships, Powered by Citroën: Sunday’s spotlight on talent
The third and final day of a superb championships lived up to its pre-event billing. It featured amazing performances, plenty of drama and more plot twists than a Hollywood blockbuster. Of course, there were there was the cast of lead characters that included World Champion, Katarina Johnson Thompson, and ten times British champion Scott Lincoln along with a long list of European medallists. But it was the superb list of extras, all looking to take the lead role that really stole the limelight. Here’s how the action unfolded:
Given Teddy Wilson’s (Shaftesbury Barnet) U20 men’s 100m win on Saturday in 10.24, all eyes were always going to be on the 200m. And after a cracking semi-final where five went inside 21 seconds, it was clear only a sensational run would suffice. Enter Wilson centre stage. He ran a fabulous bend, leading the field (all of which had the European qualifying time) into the last 100m. There was no chance he would be caught as he powered his way to 20.83 and his second gold of the championships. The men’s race was a stride slower, but still spectacular as Marcus McLean (Sale) went sub 21 for the first time with a wind legal 20.97.
The women’s 200m was no less exciting as it saw Jazmine Moss (Gateshead) hold off a rapidly closing Johnson Thompson (Aston Moore, Liverpool H) 23.52 to 23.74. The Liverpool Harrier had also finished third in the high jump earlier with 1.78. And while it wasn’t a winning day, it was undoubtedly a useful form check (just as she had done before Paris last year) for the Olympic heptathlon silver medallist, who was pleased to be back in action in Birmingham. "I'm really happy that I'm back healthy, able to put back-to-back races in, and open up my season in a couple of events," she told us afterwards. In the U20 women’s race, Lucy Tallon (Nigel Stickings, Tonbridge) ran 23.75, slightly slower than her best this season but powerful running into a slight headwind in the cooler, late afternoon conditions.
The U20 women’s 400H was a tight affair with Arabella Wilson (Andrew Fisher, TVH) and Stephanie Okoro (Laura Turner-Alleyne, Havering) the standout names to watch. Okoro led through hurdle seven but had nothing to offer as Wilson, the British record holder for 15-year-olds powered off the final flight for a comfortable victory and massive PB of 57.49. Okoro, the champion last year ran 58.60. And talking of champions, Hayley McLean (Chris Zah, Shaftesbury) won her fifth senior title in 56.86, superb running from the European Junior champion 12 years ago!
The men had plenty to try and match in their 400Hs but match it they did. In the U20 men’s race, Oliver Parker (James Wright, Rugby and Northampton) had a small but significant lead off the final hurdle which he held on to, winning in 51.33.
The field events were equally gripping. In a tremendous competition where just 4cm separated first from second in the men’s U20 discus, Jacob Foord (Taunton) emerged the winner with his 56.98 second round effort. He had to hold his breath though as US-based Mikun Adeniran (Basingstoke and Mid Hants, Ben Hazell) almost nicked it in the fifth round with 56.94. “There’s always more to come,” said Foord after the competition, adding that he’s now looking forward to competing in the European U20 Champs next month. He’s thrown the qualifying distance twice already but in level one competitions, so they don’t count. However, this throw officially confirms his seat on the plane to Finland. “It’s all about light, explosive work in the gym now as well as technique work to fine tune,” he said.
Scott Lincoln (Dale Stevenson, City of York), winner of the men’s shot is also working on technique as he’s changed coaches this season. It’s all about releasing faster and although he’s yet to conquer that fully, he still threw 19.81 to win his fifth English title by more than three metres. “Tokyo is obviously the goal, but things are going well; I’m working on technique and learning a few new things with my new coach,” he said.
There was some impressive jumping as Tilly Hooper (Kate Rooney, Birchfield) cleared 4.25 in the women’s pole vault, while there was a welcome return to form for Otis Poole (Joe Bray, Yeovil) in theU20 men’s high jump. The senior men’s indoor champion cleared 2.12, his best jump outdoors (he has 2.20 indoors), encouraging as he heads to Finland next month.
“I got the mark I was looking for and I think l am peaking just at the right moment,” he said. “It’s been a good season so far and although I did have a dip that was because I’ve been working on some things, but now I’m ready for the Euros,” he continued.
Combined Events
Women's heptathlon
There wasn’t too much to choose between the overnight leader Ellen Barber (John Lane, Yeovil Olympiads) and second placer Anna McCauley (City of Sheffield and Dearne) after day one and not much changed after the long jump. Barber marginally increased her lead with 5.95 to McAuley’s 5.91 while Ella Rush (Dave Feeney, Harrow) edged slightly closer thanks to her impressive 6.22, closing the gap on the leaders by close to 100 points. A huge throw by Barber of 45.81 in the javelin effectively ended any speculation as to who would win the gold medal. And attention turned instead to the 800m and whether Barber, in superb form, could crack the world class mark of 6000 points. And that’s precisely what she did. Barber hit the front from the gun, passing 400m in 64 on her way to 2:11.45 and 6037, a personal best by nine points. Northern Ireland’s McCauley also ran a great race in 2:15.01 and she too was rewarded with a lifetime best of 5663 points while Rush completed two solid days with 5464 points.
“The first day was actually a little below average,” she said. “But day two was much better especially the javelin and the 800m. I was really pleased with those events. I’m really thinking about next season’s Commonwealth Games as my next really big goal,” she added.
Men's decathlon
Stephen Simmons (David Hull, Tonbridge) picked up where he left off Saturday evening with a victory in the first event of the day, the 110H. His 14.60 was a personal best which put him 56 points ahead of Oliver Adnitt (Kingston upon Hull) who crossed the line the thickness of a vest behind in 14.67. On another day his solid 51.20 in the javelin would have sufficed as they all headed to the 1500m, but Scotland’s Callum Newby (Edinburgh) had other ideas and overhauled his English rival by five points thanks to his 48.50 throw. And let’s not forget Ablitt who hauled the javelin out to 57.43, which suddenly put him back in the picture. It meant the 1500m, often a procession, really meant something; there would be no hanging about. Newby laid down the gauntlet early to run what is best described as a ‘gritty’ race to take the title with 4:42.26. Adnitt was close behind in 4:37.86 while Simmons crossed the line in 4:56.69. A great competition that went all the way to the wire.
*Victoria Levitt, T44 (Mansfield Harriers) looked particularly sharp the in para ambulant 100, clocking a season’s best 13.24 (0.02 faster than her Diamond League run). Madeline Down, T38 (Mike Bennett, Halesowen) was equally impressive over 200, running 27.35 to cross the line ahead of Levitt, who clocked 27.47. “I have had a hamstring scare,” said Down, “but it’s all going well now, and I ran well last week in the Diamond League.” The two-time Commonwealth Youth champion added: “I’m just focussing on racing right now and looking to the end of the year and the World Paras.”
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