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Athletics Report 37
ESAA Championships
After enduring the 8 hour the first two from the heat In a weekend of good runs,
coach journey, and a good managed to qualify. the undoubted highlight was
night’s rest, the training group In the final heat, Henry was Yasmin Austridge. Going
saw Henry, Yas, Angus, left in a difficult situation in the Inter Girls 1500m
Coleman and myself compete when a rival ran hard from SC, there was considerable
at the English Schools the start, running a PB in the pressure on her, being ranked
Championships – with Angus process. Effectively leading 2nd in the UK at her event.
and Coleman competing for the field the whole way, Teammate, and fastest in the
Surrey, and the remainder Henry gave chase in the final field, Holly Page ran strongly
with Kent. 300m and began closing the and worked up a sizeable gap
gap. However, as he had done on the rest of the group – for
On the first day, Angus, the majority of the work, the majority of the race. At
Coleman and Henry all runners from further back 300m to go, it seemed Yas was
competed in the Junior Boys overtook – unluckily running in a battle for 2nd. However,
800m. Angus went off in the him out of qualification. Yasmin had run one of the
first heat – and also arguably Strong runs from all three most tactically astute races
the hardest, containing the of the boys, in their first of the day. She gave chase
eventual champion and silver English Schools track and fiercely, and a technically
medallist. They hit the bell field showed that there is a lot amazing last water jump saw
in an astonishing 59 seconds of future potential amongst her storm through, drawing
with the field spread. Angus them in championship events. Holly in, and taking the
attacked the last 200m hard After refuelling at the lead with 100m left to run.
but unfortunately just missed hotel, it was down to the Safely over the last barrier,
a qualifying spot. Steeplechasers on day two, Yas kicked again to win in
Coleman going in the second myself and Yas. Personally, a massive PB of 4:54.82.
heat, ran bravely taking the in a stacked field, containing English Schools champion
first lap out in the lead. The a 6 second gap between 1st is an incredible feat, not to
race was a typical box 800m, rank in the race, and 8th mention she managed to do
and as a result meant it was – I managed an incredible this a year young – making it
slowed down. This made it all bronze in the 1495m Inter all the more special. Yasmin
the harder to qualify, being Boys 1500SC. Unfortunately rightfully earned a call up to
first 2 per heat and 2 fastest for me, the race was actually represent England next week
losers. Coleman held the 1500m, and I ended up 5th. in Scotland, in the SIAB
lead until 250m to go but the international.
field came through, and only Well done to all in the group
who competed!
Joss Barber
