By Darren Hatton
This month Thanet Athletics Club youngsters competed in the first ever Kent Young Athletes League for Under 12s at Central Park Athletics Track in Dartford.
Thanet AC, combined with White Cliffs R & AC, took 7 boys and girls to compete in a series of events in Division 2 and they didn’t disappoint.
In the boys’ match Thanet AC had Edward Chidwick and Gideon Wells competing.
Edward came away with a 1st place in the A string long jump (3.68m), 2nd place in the A string 75m (12.1s) and 1st place in the B string javelin (10.44m).
Gideon threw his way to a 1st place in the A string discus (13.67m), 3rd place in the A string javelin (12.36m) and 3rd place in the B string 75m (13.7s).
Both of these boys ran in the 4 x 100m where the combined team took 1st place in their race in a brilliant time of 66.1s.
The boys team won their match beating teams from Paddock Wood, Central Park, Swale and Sevenoaks.
In the girls match unfortunately there were only three competing, so the fact they finished only 36pts behind 2nd place was a real credit to them and their performances.
In this team of girls was Alice Tye, Chloe Figgins and Ellie Brady.
Alice Tye finished 2nd in the A string javelin (11.70m), 3rd in the A string 75m (12.0s) and 4th in the A string long jump (3.14m).
Chloe Figgins competed in the A string high jump where she finished 2nd (1.10m), 75m where she placed 2nd in the B string (12.5s) and 2nd in the B string 75m hurdles.
Ellie Brady finished 2nd in the B string long jump (3.12m), 3rd in the A string 75m hurdles (16.3s) and 4th in the A string 600m (2:06.7).
Overall the combined team of Thanet AC and White Cliffs R & AC finished in 4th place, but it’s all to play for when they have their 2nd league match in August.
Team manager Ben Wells spoke about the team saying “What a great performance by the girls and boys today. The hard work of these athletes in their training has really paid off and the results are there for all to see, but most importantly was the smiles on their faces when competing.”
Special thanks go to Kitty-Rose Hatton and Bella Winfield from our U14 athletics group who gave up their day to help organise the athletes and team managers Ben Wells and Darren Hatton.
Well done to these youngsters ,most days not enough is said in praise of these youngsters as I said well done