Plus a Round-Up of Other Indoor Results
Bristol & West’s (B&W) younger athletes shone once again at the second part of this significant championship. However, only seven of our athletes rose to the challenge. The event, held concurrently with the Welsh Regional Championships, featured seeded races, making them highly competitive due to the large number of entries.
Kezia Tarzey is emerging as a standout hurdler. She clinched Gold in the South-West Championships in a strong field, clocking a fine 9.33 seconds in her main event, the 60m hurdles. Kezia also competed in the 60m sprint later that day, clocking 8.43 seconds, slightly off her personal best of 8.30 seconds.
Safiya Williams, a thrower, consistently performs well, especially when scoring points for the club. Coached by Paul Filer, this U17 athlete put the 3kg shot 8.34 meters, placing 5th in the South-West category of her event.
Mairi Carver-Brown ran an outstanding 800m in 2:34.54, securing a Silver medal and establishing herself as the Bristol & West AC U17 record holder for the event. Mairi, who enjoys indoor running and is familiar with the Cardiff track, was remarkable in the 800m. She even tried her hand at an unusual event for her, the 60m sprint, completing it in a respectable 9.49 seconds.
Another Silver Medal was won by U13 athlete Isabelle Spencer, who put the shot 5.92 meters with a consistent series of throws. Isabelle was joined by her younger sister, Charlotte, also U13, in each of her three events. Charlotte managed a throw of 3.87 meters.
In the 800m, the two sisters competed in the same heat. Isabelle ran a strong race to finish 2nd in 2:58.58. However, Charlotte found the race challenging and finished with a commendable time of 3:20.69.
The sisters also participated in the 60m sprint, with Isabelle clocking 9.69 seconds and Charlotte 10.71 seconds. This makes Isabelle a South-West Silver and Bronze Medalist, considering her Long Jump last month and the range of events they both covered.
Dan Webb, a multi-event U17 athlete, performed well, winning his heat and finishing 4th in the South-West category in the 60m Hurdles with a time of 9.85 seconds. Dan also jumped 5.11 meters in the Long Jump and ran the 60m in 8.31 seconds.
Fayola Aliyu, an U15 athlete, turned her focus to the 60m sprint this time, after a strong 200m performance in her introduction to indoor athletics last month. She clocked an excellent 9.08 seconds.
These seven athletes gave heartening performances, but B&W's representation was considerably less than that of our local rivals. We must renew our viggor for Track & Field.
Elsewhere, a couple of B&W athletes ventured further afield to compete. Josh Maggs, an U23 athlete, traveled to Manchester for his comeback after an injury. He clocked 7.18 seconds for the 60m and 22.74 for the 200m, showing promising signs of recovery.
In the Disability events at Sheffield, newcomer Leon Seming, an U20 athlete with a T47 disability, coached by Nick Harris, ran impressive times of 7.52 seconds and 7.59 seconds in the 60m. These are excellent times even for an able-bodied athlete. Welcome to athletics, Leon; you are doing well.
At Lee Valley, Masters Athlete (V35) Alex Fields followed up his excellent 24.89 seconds in the 200m last month with a splendid 400m in 55.43 seconds. This time is second only to the great Jim Dixon in the Veteran age group, a proud achievement for Alex.
Mike Strange – 7th January 2024
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