By William Kearsey
The first match of the season for the composite team of BAC, New Forest Junior AC and Poole Runners took place on Saturday 18th April. The team wasn’t as large as hoped for but what we lacked in numbers, we made up for in team spirit. Several competed in the maximum number of events allowed. The composite team finished 3rd out of 8 teams. IF enough BAC members are prepared to compete in the remaining 3 matches, we could finish first or second in each match. This would give us the chance of gaining promotion from the lowest league, as the top two teams will be promote.
Please compare our position to Team Dorset, who last year were in the bottom league. They were promoted whilst we were relegated. They are thus in the league above us and have won their first match. If they continue in this way they could be 2 leagues above us next year…
Starting with newcomers to BAC, Keelan Abley came 4th in 100m U17A and 5th in 200m U17A with a PB. Cameron Hale came 4th in 200m U17B, 4th in HJ and 5th in LJ, all being PBs. They show great promise for the future.
Jack Howlett, having switched to BAC this year, is already showing to be a great asset to the club. He started in fine form with two PBs and two first places in the U17 shot (13.79m) and discus (43.33). He also came 2nd in hammer.
Glenn Balfour was as accommodating as ever, in U17B he came 4th in 100B, in U20B 200m, he finished 3rd and in U20A LJ came 3rd. He later ran in a relay. If it were not for the rules, Glenn would do just about every event if asked, except pole vault and steeple chase.
Danielle Broom must surely be the BAC athlete of the moment. Having performed so well last week at the Open Meeting, the U17 athlete gained the top spot in all 3 events. She won shot with a PB of 12.26m, discus with a PB of 41.80m and hammer with 50.63m. Danielle is now ranked in UK U17W as 2nd in hammer and discus and 12th in shot.
Olivia Galloway excelled in U17W 80mH and HJ U20 B coming 2nd in both. Verity Cowell was 2nd in LJ U17 and 1st in HJ U17.
Ben Arnold (U20) was 4th in 100m and 3rd in 200m
Rachel Welch (U20) was 3rd in 100m & 1st in LJ. Rosie Wootten (U20) won HJ and was 3rd in shot.
Matthew Ridge (U20) was 1st in javelin and 1st in discus, in which he gained a PB with 42.80m, and 3rd in hammer (all A events). Ben Dickinson won U17 javelin and U20B discus.
It would be wrong to focus solely on BAC performances when the team was a composite one. New Forest Junior AC fielded 6 athletes. They all performed well, competing in some of the longer and tougher track events. Harry Feltham was 2nd with a PB in 400m, 2nd in 800m & 4th in 1500m. Matthew Gerrish was 4th in 100m with a PB, 6th in 400m, and 2nd in 800m. Louise Ridgley was 3rd in 300m and 3rd in 800m, with PBs in both. Hannah Ingram was 1st in 300m with a PB and 1st in 800m. Jessica Warwick was 1stin 300m with a PB, 1st in 800m and 3rd in 1500m. Louise Cole was 2nd in 300mH.
With such limited resources we could only assemble 3 relays teams out of a possible maximum of 8, coming 1st in 4×300 U17W, 2nd in U20 W 4×100 and 4th in U17 M 4×100.
The next match is at Portsmouth on Saturday 16th May. Please let me (William Kearsey) know your availability, and what events you would like to do.
Your Club Needs You.