young athletes get taste of track & field

'A total of 36 competitors took part in the Morpeth Harriers Trials Events, held at the Morpeth Track at KEVI High School on Saturday morning.
Following the cancellation due to Covid of the opening fixture of the NEYDL season, the club took the opportunity to give some of their younger athletes, particularly the untested, an opportunity to experience the feel of a Track and Field Meeting, with events over 100m, 300m, 400m and 800m on the Track, and Long Jump and Shot Putt in the Field.
Although there was good turnout on the cool but sunny morning, the club would still like to have seen more, who regularly turn up for the Monday sessions, take part.
Nevertheless, the club's Young Athletes Team Manager was still upbeat, and was pleased with some of the potential he had witnessed, particularly from the 19 Boys and 17 Girls who had shown their capabilities.
Amongst the contingent were three athletes from the Under 11 age group, (two girls, and one boy), who unfortunately are still too young for league competition this year.
The biggest age group turnout came from the Under 15’s, who comprised thirteen, (eight boys, and five girls).
In the Boys events, Will Hodgson was the fastest Under 13 over 100m with 14.5s, in the Under 15 100m, Conner Phillips was equal fastest with Sam Dent in 13.8s, for Dent, it equalled his personal best, and Evan Logan was the only Under 17 Boy who tackled the 100m, clocking 12.6s.
Over 400m, saw Joseph Close emerge as the fastest Under 15, with 61.8s, while in the Under 17 400m, Will De Vere Owen was fastest with 55.8s. He was also fastest Under 17 in the 800m with 2m08.1s.
In the Under 15 Boys 800m, Joseph Close, again emerged as fastest with 2m15.7s, and Daniel Scott was fastest Under 13 at the distance, posting a time of 3m01.6s.
Scott also triumphed in the Long Jump (2.8m) and Shot Putt (4.92m).
In the Under 15 Boys Field Events, Oliver Tomlinson produced a personal best in the Shot Putt with 4.15m, and Sam Dent improved his personal best to 4.52m in the Long Jump.
Cameron Dale was the only Under 17 Male athlete to compete in the Long Jump, producing 4.60m.
On to the Girls performances, where Freya Caygill equalled her personal best in the Under 15 100m, clocking 13.9s.
She was also the leading Under 15 performer in the 800m, posting 2m48.7s.
The best Under 13 performance in the 100m came from Alexandria Hodgson, who clocked 15.9s.
Molly Roche was the best Under 13 800m performer, posting a time of 2m59.2s.
Caitlan Flanagan posted a time of 2m37.7s as the only Under 17 800m runner.
In the Under 13 Girls Field Events, Megan Potrac was first in the Long Jump (3.10m), and the Shot Putt (4.65m).
Ella Tillmouth produced the best Under 15 Long Jump performance with 3.99m, and Olivia Gent was the sole Under 17 Female Field performer, achieving a best of 3.79m in the Long Jump.
Many thanks go to all the Club Officials, and Coaches, and willing parents on the morning, who all helped to make the event both enjoyable and successful, and the club can now look forward to its forthcoming NEYDL fixture at Middlesbrough Sports Village on Sunday 16 May with anticipation, and determination.
All interested Young Athletes are asked to contact Team Managers (Boys) Mark Brown (07535774648), and (Girls) Vina Desai (01670511071), as soon as possible if they can, and wish to be selected for the fixture. 
Full results