Irish Schools Multis – silver for Andrew
Sat 24 September 2011--admin
Andrew Hutchinson was the star of the Lisburn squad at Santry today at the Irish Schools Multi Events, securing a fine second place in the Junior Boys event. This of course guarantees his selection for the Irish Team for the Schools Combined Events International in Glasgow, which will be great end to a fantastic 2011 for Andrew. Athletes enjoyed a beautiful late summer’s day, with only a slight headwind keeping performances down.
A niggling back injury meant that Andrew was unable to challenge for gold, eventually having to settle for silver behind Sam Healey of Munster who won with an exceptional score of 3402 pts. However, even if not in his very best form he still strung together some strong performances including a win in the 80m Hurdles in 11.8s, a 1.70m high jump, 5.60m long jump, 9.74m shot, 25.6s for 200m and a superb 2:15.81 800m to finish. The large contingent of Lisburn coaches and supporters were delighted for Andrew who has secured his first Irish vest.
The Junior Girls event saw three Lisburn athletes amongst the four Ulster competitors in the field. Jessica McMaster was the best placed of our girls in 9th overall. This included a PB in the 75m hurdles in 12.8s and also the third best long jump of the day with 4.92m. She finished very strongly with a 2:42 800m PB and the experience will stand her well for next year when she will still be a Junior Girl.
Jane Anderson’s 12.1s for the 75m hurdles was the equal best of the day which got her off to a great start, and despite being a notch or two below her very best in the jumps and shot, the performances were strong enough to put her within striking distance of the crucial top 4 spots for the international with just the 800m to go. However the cumulative effect of her superb season over the hurdles appeared to take its toll and she didn’t have it in her legs today, running 2:50 which meant she finished 10th overall.
Kathryn Case opened with a PB in the hurdles of 13.3s and followed that with a high jump PB of 1.46m for a super start. Her 8.29m shot was one of the best throws of the day and she was 6th with just the 800m to go. Despite a PB of 2:58.79 here she slipped to 11th, showing just how much ground can be made up or lost in this final event.
Adam Hill was in good form in the Inter Boys event. He had PB’s at high jump with 1.78m and shot with 8.66m and also had a good hurdles with 15.5s and his second best ever long jump with 5.84. He was as high as 6th place at one stage although a 2:41 800m saw him slip a few places to 9th overall. Josh Garnham was another Lisburn qualifier for Santry but was unable to travel today.
Congratulations to every one of the Lisburn squad, who all gave it everything today, with a surprising number of PBs still being produced at this stage in the season – and a special mention again to Andrew on his great achievement.