NECAA Indoor Track & Field Championships

With storm Ciara and Dennis between them putting paid to any North Eastern Cross Country activity for the second week in succession, it was down to the warmth of Indoor Athletics to come to the competitive rescue for some of the regions hardy competitors at the weekend.

Two days of competition took place at Gateshead College throughout Saturday and Sunday,
with the region hosting its annual Championships, with Field Events being held on the first day,
and the Track specialists in action on the Sunday.

Amongst those taking part, were eleven athletes from Morpeth Harriers,
who between them managed to pick up five Gold Championship medals.

Three were won on the first day, courtesy of Charlotte Earl, who won the Under 17 Women’s Triple Jump,
with a best effort of 10.77m, which was a good metre clear of her closest rivals.

Under 20 Athlete Kayleigh Wenn was also a Triple Jump winner, posting a new personal best of 9.28m.
Wenn also won Gold, because the event winner in front of her was not eligible on residency grounds.

The third first day medallist was Senior Man Craig Charlton,
who produced a new personal best of 15.54m in the Shot Putt.
Unfortunately, Morpeth will not have Charlton for the forthcoming
Summer competition, as having moved RAF Stations,
he will be linking up with British League club Woodford Green.

Morpeth’s other Gold medallist was Over 55 Veteran Peter Tynemouth,
who had respective age group wins in the 60m Hurdles (12.94s), and 60m Sprint (9.28s).

Despite recording two personal bests of 9.91s, then 9.83s in the Under 15 Girls 60m Hurdles,
Morpeth’s Hannah Lott just missed out on a podium place.

Fellow Morpeth Harrier Kaitlyn Waddell also made it through to the final of the 60m Hurdles,
recording respective times of 10.62s, then 10.32s in the Final, where she finished sixth.

In his first ever North East Championship, Under 13 Boy athlete Harrison Scott,
made it to the final of the 60m, where he finished fifth in 8.97s.
Harrison had finished third in his earlier heat in 8.96s.

Posting a brand-new personal best of 8.10s, Under 17 Woman Mia Belton
made it through to the final of her 60m Sprint.
Her time of 8.12s saw her finish fifth in the later run final.

Morpeth’s Freya Caygill and Victoria Hodgson both produced new personal bests of
8.35s, and 8.64s in the Under 15 Girls 60m Sprints.
Caygill’s performance qualified her for the A final, where she finished fifth,
with another personal best of 8.31s, whilst Hodgson finished an accomplished
second in the B final, again with new figures of 8.42s.

On the first day of competition on Saturday, Kaitlyn Waddell had her first taste of
Under 15 Field competition, where she cleared 1.31m in the High Jump,
and Putted 7.99m in the Shot for sixth place.

Another Morpeth athlete competing in the Under 15 Girls Shot Putt
​was Georgia Turner, who was seventh, producing a best of 7.86m.