Northern Bank Junior Competition

Wed 2 July 2008--admin

Mary Peters track was lively yesterday afternoon (Sun 29th June) with over 50 young athletes from Banbridge and City of Lisburn AC competing in a friendly junior competition. For many of the young athletes it was their first time taking part in an athletics competition. Hopefully in an Olympic year their experience will encourage them to strive to achieve their best in their chosen sport.

Each child could take part in a sprint, jump and throw plus a 400m or 800m for the older athletes. There were many great performances throughout the afternoon from both the girls and boys.

The 6-7 year olds took part in the 60m which was won by Victoria Hunter in 11.18 and Christopher Larmour in 10.87sec. The Long Jump was won by Kate Gourley, 2m24 and Christopher Larmour, 2m70. The Cricket ball was won by Kate Gourley, 13m73 and Christopher Larmour, 20m 94. This age group finished off with a 400m which was won by Kate Gourley in a fantastic 1min 32 and Christopher Larmour in another fantastic time of 2min26.

The 8-9 year olds took part in the 60m, won by Madison Bowyer in 9.38sec and Robert Little in 9.44sec. The Long Jump was won by Madison Bowyer, 3m09 and Robert Little 3m25. The Cricket ball was won by Madison Bowyer with a throw of 16m20 and Jonah Mitchell with a great throw of 22m90. Again the age group finished off with a 400m, a great race with a fantastic battle down the home straight from Madison, Robert and Emily. The race was won by Robert Little 1min 19, Madison Bowyer came second in 1min20 closely followed by Emily Foster 1min22.

The 10-11 year olds took part in the 80m sprint. It was a closely contested race between Zoe Carruthers, 11.13sec, Jessica McMaster, 11.19sec and Katie Larmour 11.21sec. The boys also had a close result with three having the same time: Ryan Keenan, Jack Magrath and William Wilson all recorded 12.03 sec. The Long Jump was won by Jessica McMaster with a great jump of 3m.45 followed closely by Kirsten Evens with 3m42 and Ryan Keenan won the boys in 3m36. The 10-11 year olds throw the Shot instead of the cricket ball. The shot was won by Lauren Gourley, 4m 83 and Jack Magrath, 4m53. The athletes in this age group got to choose between the 400m & 800m to finish off the competition. The 400m had a clear winner with Zoe Carruthers in a time of 1min 15 followed by Jessica McMaster in 1min18 and Jack Magrath was the first boy home in 1min22. Three of the boys also took part in the 800m, won by Enda Kelly McCann in a great time of 2min 49. Next was Jamie Mitchell, 3min05 and then Jack Magrath, 3min 07.

The 12-13 year olds took part in the 100mts. It was another close race between Erin Carruthers, 15.34sec, Jillian Wilson, 15.89sec and Gemma Thompson, 15.91sec. The boys? race was won by Adam Johnston in 14.19sec. The long jump was won by Erin Carruthers in 3m75 and Adam Johnston 3m83. The 12-13 year olds also throw the Shot instead of the cricket ball. Jillian Wilson won the girls? shot with a throw of 5m55 and Adam Johnston won the boys? with 7m07. This age group also got to choose if they wanted to run the 400m or 800m. Kevin Crossan ran a great race to finish 1st in 1min 13 followed very closely by Ben Robinson in 1min 14. The 800m was a great race with the top three moving away from the rest of the field after 400m. Erin Carruthers, Enda Kelly McCann and Adam Johnston had a great run with Adam just behind Erin and Enda until 200m to go when he picked up the pace and battled right to the line with Erin. Both finished in 2mins 44 followed by Enda (10-11 group) who was followed closely by Ben Robinson 2min59.

Well done to everyone who took part. Thanks to all the older athletes and coaches who helped out on the day.