NATIONAL JUNIOR ATHLETES LEAGUE NOTTINGHAM  18/05/2008

Burton A.C. made the short trip to Harvey Hadden stadium in Nottingham this weekend for the first match of the National Young Athletes League. After a series of spirited performances the athletes finished in a well-deserved second place, just being pipped to the post by Sutton in Ashfield Harriers.

The under 17 girls duo worked hard all day. Rachel Clarkson gained three first places in the 300m hurdles, 300m sprint and the 80m hurdles in which she raced to a new best of 13.6 seconds. Leah Hyde gained two victories in the 200m and in the 300m (45.0 seconds pb).

The under 15 girls had a busy schedule. Emma Worley romped to two wins over the sprints, 100m in 14.0 seconds and 200m in 28.9 seconds, both grade 4 performances. She followed this up with victory in the javelin.

Juliette Parry gained a best of 29.9 seconds for 2^nd place in the 200m, raced the 100m in 14.3 seconds, then sent the shot put out to a grade 4 performance of 6.95m.

Isabelle Parry won the 75m hurdles and the javelin in style, followed by a leap of 3.74m in the long jump.

Sarah Hough competed well over the 800m and long jump in her new age group, then gained a new best of 6.10m in the shot put.

Nicole Byram made a successful track debut over 800m, gaining 3^rd place with a determined run.

Worley, Hough and the Parrys then had a runaway victory in the 4 x 100m relay.

The trio of under 13 girls gained 6 victories and two second places between them.

Bronte Senior won the 150m and the long jump, then sprinted to a best of 13.3 seconds to win the 70m hurdles. Rana Saneie soared to a grade 4 performance of 1.20m in the high jump, and a new best time of 12.0 seconds in winning the 75m sprint. Rachel Coneys  won the high jump with 1.20m, also gaining a grade 4 in the long jump (3.69m) before making a great debut over 1200m in 4.39.5 minutes.

James Latham moved up to the under 15 age group with ease and was joined by three new athletes this season. James won the 800m and reached a new best of 3.73m in the long jump. Joe Gates secured second place in the long jump and a new best of 69.0 seconds in the 400m. Jefferson Smith sprinted to first place in the 100m in 13.7 seconds and cleared 1.30m in the high jump. Jack Beavis was second over both short sprints in 14.1 and 29.3 seconds respectively. He then joined his team mates for second place in the sprint relay.

The under 13 boys also performed to a high standard. Alex Benfield won the 1500m with a brave display of front-running, securing a grade 4 time of 5.15.4. He followed this with 16.0 seconds in the 75m hurdles (grade 4) and 2^nd place in the 200m. Daniel Shaw won the long jump with 3.79m (grade 4), ran the 100m in 14.7 seconds and competed well in the shot put. Jason Knight had three wins in the long jump, 100m and 75m hurdles. Aidan McElroy sprinted to victory in the 200m, then led his team to 2^nd place in the 4 x 100m relay.