gardiner defies injury at hull meeting

Morpeth Harriers Under 17 Heavy Throws specialist Edward Gardiner, bravely battled through the rounds of both the Discus and Hammer competitions at the Northern Athletics combined Under 17/Under 15/ Under 13 Track and Field Championships, held on Saturday and Sunday 14 and 15 August, at Costello Stadium in Hull, nursing a very painful back injury, which restricted his usual action somewhat.
Nevertheless, he managed to work his way through to finish fifth in both competitions.
As a first year Under 17, although it would have been wonderful to medal, with the first three in each case being capable of near or over forty metres in both competitions, Edward’s best efforts of 32.24m in the Discus, and 32.69m in the Hammer, were clearly a bit adrift of the podium places.
Most pleasing thing was, that his Discus was a new personal best, his previous best being the 31.15m he had thrown at Middlesbrough in May in a NECAA Open Meeting.
His Hammer throw was around a metre adrift of his previous best.
Meanwhile Edward, as No 1 in the region, is still hoping to make his appearance in both events at the NECAA Championships, being held at Middlesbrough Sports Village over this Saturday and Sunday, as is elder Sister Jessica, who has had an injury ridden Summer.
She is still hoping to compete in the Under 20 Women’s Hammer Throw on Sunday.