On a very cold Saturday 5th December coach Gwylim Jones took a young Bolton Harriers squad to Trafford Athletics Club for an Open Junior Meeting. Never was a day so vital for those pre- race warm ups and stretches.
Mathilda ‘Tilly’ Hall certainly benefited from her pre race preparation and wrapped up two personal bests in the 75m and 150m. The daughter of ebullient Harriers sprint coach Les Hall was fastest of all competitors, including the boys, over 75m. From the same ‘stable’ as Olympic hopeful Hannah Kelly, Tilly is certainly one to look out for in the future. Les had 3 of his junior sprint group involved in Tilly, Allyssia May and Isobel Oxley.
Emily Wood put in a great effort smashing 11 seconds off her previous personal best and setting a new target of 2m 17 seconds.
It was an exciting day for some of the young Harriers taking part in their first competition. Gwylim was pleased with the debuts of Ava Brocklehurst in the 75m and Zia Isherwood 2nd in her 150m heat. Brothers Alex and Max Preston also made a good competitive debuts. Max in the 600m, Alex in the 1200m and both in the Long Jump.
Josh Grundy took part in his first 600m. Gwylim was delighted as he came home 13 seconds quicker than expected in 2 minutes 7 secs.
Cerys Jones took to the starting line of the 1200m for the first time and performed better than her coach, and grandad, Gwylim had hoped for with a time of 5 minutes 46 seconds. Just to emphasise the family nature at Bolton Harriers Gwilym’s daughter and mother of Cerys, Lindsay was there to assist with the group and their preparation. Lindsay has been providing valuable assistance to her dad in the club training sessions.
Allyssia May continued her good form from Trafford in October in the 150m and improved on her time in the 75m. She finished a good all round performance on the day by coming 2nd in her pool in the long jump.
Isobel Oxley found good speed, technique and strength in producing a fine long jump of 3.87m to win her pool. To wrap up a perfect day she knocked 11 seconds off her 800m personal best.
Results
75m Heat 3
- Ava Brocklehurst – 13.32
75m Heat 6
- Mathilda Hall – 10.82
- Allyssia May – 11.18
- Joshua Grundy – 11.79
- Zia Isherwood – 12.68
150m Heat 2
- Cerys Jones – 34.24
150m Heat 3
- Emily Wood – 27.60
150m Heat 6
- Zia Isherwood – 25.23
- Ava Brocklehurst – 26.96
150m Heat 7
- Joshua Grundy – 24.09
150m Heat 8
- Mathilda Hall – 21.85
- Allyssia May – 23.44
600m Heat 1
- Emily Wood – 2.17.88
600m Heat 2
- Joshua Grundy – 2.07.05
- Allyssia May – 23.44
800m Heat 3
- Isobel Oxley – 2.44.50
1200m Heat 1
- Alex Preston – 4.47.19
- Cerys Jones – 5.46.66
Long Jump Pool 2
- Isobel Oxley – 3.87
- Allyssia May – 3.43
- Alex Preston – 3.25
Long Jump Pool 3
- Max Preston – 2.42