King’s Lynn athletes shine in Southern Athletics League action in Colchester
Debutant Hanley Angell picked up multiple personal bests as the Southern Athletics League returned for West Norfolk athletes.
Taking place in Colchester, it was the second match of a four-match series.
A larger team attended and had a successful day with officials and helpers, John Greenhlagh, Sharon Ross, Racheal Greenhalgh, Ben Collison and Chris Ely playing a big part in making sure the day ran smoothly.
Angell enjoyed a cracking first lap in the 800, where he finished with 2.21.
He also decided to run the flat 400 and got a brilliant debut time of 60.2 before trying his hand at discus and finishing with the 2000m steeplechase in 8.15.
U17 Henry Gosnell joined him in the steeplechase with a great time of 7.35 and got a PB in the shot (throwing 2.6kg heavier than his age group weight) with 5.99m.
U20 Thomas O Neill returned to competing in the SAL, running the 100m in 12.4 and a big jav throw despite minimal training with 39.74, throwing the 800g weight.
U17 Thomas Green had another great day of sprinting with 12.3 in the 100 and 26.5 in the 200 - both into a strong headwind - and he also competed in the long jump - three being the max events for an U17.
Malou Lewis, also a U17, rounded off the juniors with a brilliant 200m PB of 31.6, again into a very strong headwind, and 1.13 in the high jump.
Senior Liam O'Dell made his debut competing for the club in a league and achieved 13.1 in the 100m as well as 27.8 in the 200m. Cameron Ross also did the 100/200 with 14.3 and 30.2, respectively and his second best long jump this year with 4.35m.
Green, O'Neill, O Dell and Ross formed the first club 4x100 team of sprinters at a league match for a while and had a speedy relay, finishing in 53.2 seconds.
Ben Collison stepped off timekeeping duties for some javelin after an injury had prevented any running recently and threw 12m70. Adam Howard joined him and had his second-best throw ever of 33.01.
He also did shot, hammer and discus, keeping him busy, as well as an 800 in 2.30, and 3000m in 11.07.
He was joined in the 3000 by John Greenhalgh, who had a great run despite the searing heat in 13.46.
Daughter Hannah joined them on track with 12.36 after also running the 800 earlier in 2.31.
Callum Stanforth took on the 1500 and in what was a scintillating finish, claimed the win in the last few seconds with 4.15.
It wasn't a PB day on the track, so the endurance athletes did well to battle the temperatures and the wind. Lucy Edwards finished the team in style, breaking a long-held discus PB with 16.15.
Nursing an injury in her leg, she missed her usual sprints but showed she is an all-rounder with some great throws, with the javelin and shot as well as the discus.
Many thanks to the team who all showed great team spirit and enthusiasm all day, alongside the support from the families and helpers on the day.
