THE youngsters and future of Ashford Athletic Club travelled to Hastings on Sunday, for the last match of the 2011 season in the National Young Athletes league.
Already leading the SE division 1, the team of 50 young athletes, knew that nothing less than their best would be needed, as Sussex rivals, Crawley AC, were a close second in the league. To add to the pressure, Crawley would be enjoying a home venue in their last match.
The team managers were quietly confident, but still knew they had to get the athletes out to compete, especially as it was fathers day, U13/U15 Girls team manager Tina Tappenden had spent the day before baking cakes to entice the fathers to come to the match
The athletes weren’t going to let pressure interfere with the task ahead. The adults need not have worried, as the Ashford youngsters turned in their best result of the season, winning the match with a massive 645 points. Crawley were given a tough time by their close neighbours and rivals, Horsham Bluestar AC and although winning their match, failed to get sufficient points to overhaul Ashford.
An excellent effort by the Ashford youngsters who, subject to confirmation, will be deservedly promoted to the Premier division for next year. This will be a quantum leap in terms of competition quality and they will need even more commitment and support to contest this division- and they’re good enough!.
An excellent result for the athletes and the club, winning all four of their matches. With numerous personal best and graded performances throughout the season, the athletes are to be congratulated for their overall dedicated and committed effort. Some athletes are expected to do well and some perhaps not so well, but at the end of a match, 1 point is as important as 6 points – it’s about the team.
Under 13
Girls: Ruby Cox, Jaimee-Anne Heyes, Alex Prickett, Hannah Owen, Jessica Box, Jessica Carly, Amelia Isaac.
Boys: Giles Manning, Elliott Rudd, Ed Miller, Ryan Miller-Leslie, Jake Timmins, Oliver Marsh, Joseph Whitby, Dan Hall, Alex Weaver
The girl’s sprints and hurdles were competently contested by Ruby, Hannah, Jessica B and Jaimee, with Ruby completing a hatrick of wins in the sprint hurdles, 150m, and long jump also contested by Alex. Hannah had excellent wins in the high jump and shot putt, ably supported by Jessica B. Not to miss out on the successes, Jessica C had a superb win in the 1200m and along with Amelia, joined the relay squad in a closely contested race for second place.
With a similar strength team, the boys competed with the same determination and the sprints and hurdles group of Jake, Ed, Oliver, Daniel, Joseph and Ryan battled for every point. To further support the team effort, Oliver also competed in the 1500m and shot putt, with Ryan adding his effort in the long jump, partnered by Joseph. As well as winning the 200m, Ed also contested the shot putt. Daniel and Elliott teamed up again in the high jump, with Elliott also competing in the 800m, where he and Giles added valuable points to the total. Jake, Ed, Joseph and Dan also teamed up to take second place in the relay.
Under 15
Girls: Ellie Golding, Charlotte Tappenden, Kate Lillington, Megan Lillington, Emem Umoh, Emily Hamlyn, Ciara Ewart, Amber Guyatt, Lana Foyle.
Boys: Ben Isaac, Alex Lynch, Kyle Denning, Aaron Meakin, James Racine, Owen Morgan, Daniel Steadman, Paul Ross.
Continuing with the trend, the girls covered as many events as they could. Emem, Emily and Ciara contested the sprints for valuable points, with the three also gaining good points between them in the field events. Ellie and Charlotte teamed up for the hurdles and high jump, with Ellie also taking part in the pole vault alongside Lana and Charlotte in the long jump. Sisters, Kate and Megan battled alongside each other in the 800m for important points. Amber’s three events saw her gain very good points in the 1500m, discus and javelin. Ciara, Emem, Charlotte and Ellie took Ashford to first place in the relay.
Ben Isaac continued his fine form with three fine wins in the hurdles, long jump and javelin. Aaron, James and Owen, covered the sprints between them, gaining valuable points. Daniel and Paul teamed up for a tough 1500m, as well as adding further points in the high jump. Alex and Aaron took on the hammer and shot putt to good effect, with Alex also completing a 1,2 with Ben in the hurdles. Showing his versatility, Kyle contested the 800m, long jump and discus for excellent points. Between them, the boys also managed to gain a first in the sprint relay and third in the 4 x 400m relay.
Under 17
Women: Kayliegh Miller-Leslie, Lauren Bamford, Hester Hill, Louise Barclay, Abigail Purkis, Caitlin Dock, Samantha Lynch, Kirsten Hooton, Lizzie Highwood.
Men: Declan O’Driscoll, Callum Burgess, Thomas Williams, Ben Cox, Darrell Rand, Jacob Lane, Oliver Rudd, Thomas Snare, Quazim Omotosho.
Always the hardest age group to cover, Ashford AC’s young men and women turned in a very strong performance, despite missing some regular members. They managed to gain an excellent 22 first places between them, with brilliant support to add valuable points for the minor places.
Kayliegh completed a hatrick of wins in the 80m hurdles, 300m hurdles and 100m. Her training partner Lauren also had a great day with wins in the long jump and 300m and a second in the 80m hurdles. Hester also had a busy day, contesting the high jump, 100m and 200m for a first and two seconds. Staunch club supporter, Louis Barclay, had a tough call competing in the 1500m and 3000m, but came away with 2 brilliant first places and even had time to gain second place in the hammer. Abigail, currently working hard to get back to her best form, contested the triple jump, long jump and 200m. Lizzie, Kirsten and Sam amassed a considerable points total in the throws events, taking between them, all first places in the four events. Sam also teamed up with Caitlin for the pole vault – Caitlin taking second with Sam third. What a team performance!
One of the toughest calls of the day went to Declan who competed in the 400m, 800m and the 1500m & 4x100m Relay winning the 800m.
Equally impressive were Callum and Darrell, Callum gaining valuable points in the 1500 steeplechase, 800m and the 400m hurdles, and Darrell winning the 3000m, second in the 1500, and managing to do the 400m as well. Who said “all in a day’s work”?
An excellent sprint double for Thomas (W), winning the 100m and 200m, whilst also adding to his points with a third in the shot putt. Thomas (S) and Quasim collected an impressive points total in the throws events with Thomas winning the discus and shot with a second place in the hammer. Quasim also teamed up with Oliver in the javelin.
Oliver also gained good points in the 200m and long jump. Sprints and jumps athlete, Ben, gained maximum points in the long jump and high jump as well as third in the 100m. Jacob had an excellent three second places in the pole vault, high jump and 400m hurdles. More importantly for Jacob, his pole vault and high jump were brilliant personal best achievements.
Once again, Ashford dominated the relays, taking four wins, two seconds and a third, typifying the team spirit and resolve that has flowed throughout the squad this season. With effective support from parents and coaches, it can only get better.
Match result:
Ashford: 645 points,Hastings: 459 points, Lewes: 352 points
Final league positions: 1 Ashford, 2 Crawley. 3 Horsham, 4 Worthing, 5 Lewes, 6 Hastings, 7 South London Harriers, 8 Bexley, 9 Epsom and Ewell

Tags: NJAL, personal best, promotion