Summary of the 2021 Vets Track and Field Teams Successes
After a full year of no track and field competition, 2021 proved that the extended winter training programmes paid off on track and field performances; with personal bests, lifetimes bests, club records and an ‘oh so close’ world record being broken.
Highlights of Women’s performances
Pam Hilliam (Women 75) set PBs in W75 100m (20.4s) and 200m (44.9s). These performances currently rank her first in the British rankings for both events.
Linda New (W60) joined the club as a second claim athlete this season and has set personal bests in several events. Her most notable performance was in W60 Javelin throwing 23.20m; ranking her first in Britain this year.
Sue Frisby (W60, 2nd claim) had an impressive season following a year of injuries. Sue set a lifetime best in 80m Hurdles at the British Championships, (12.98sec) she was 8/100ths of a second off setting a new world record. She also set age group PBs in 300m Hurdles (51.72s) and LJ (4m 61cm). In British rankings, she is currently ranked 1st in W60 HJ, LJ, 80m and 300m Hurdles, 100m, 200m and 2nd in the 400m. An absolute ‘all round’ Harborough Treasure!
Jill Roginski (W60) set a new W60 Shot Club record with a lifetime best at the British Championships (9m56cm) placing her 2nd in age group. She also came 2nd in the Javelin (21.58 m) at the same Championships. She has set age group PBs (and some club records) in W60 for 80m Hurdles (14.70s), 300m Hurdles (57.4), 100m (15.9), Hammer (21.78) and Discus (21.39). Her British rankings are currently 3rd in 80m & 300m Hurdles and Javelin, 2nd in Shot, 5th in Discus and HJ.
Maria Shaw (W40) Maria set a new club record in W40 800m at the British Championships winning the Gold medal. She has performed brilliantly at all the league matches. She has set PBs in 200m (30.7) 800m (2:30:32) and 1500m (5:33:6) this season. Her British rankings are currently 8th in W40 800m and 10th in 400m (a highly contested age group!). Maria is known for her tenacity and seems to know no pain barrier when chasing down other athletes in 4x400m relays!
Hazel O’Connell (W40). Hazel has embraced the ethos of the track and field athletics and put in some amazing performances; she has not shied away from trying new events and proved herself to very adaptable. She has set PBs in 200m, 400m, mile, 3000m and 2km walk. There is total admiration for her ability to do event after event and make it look easy!
Gemma Burman (W40) made her debut appearance this year and in style. She showed her adaptability from sprinting to middle distance events. She set PBs in 800m and 1500m. She is an absolute asset to the team and a star in the making.
Yvonne Scarrott (W50) set PB in W50 1500m. Yvonne contributed to a variety of events and always ‘filled in’ to gain those important points that add to the team score.
Yvette Clayton (W45, 2ndclaim). Yvette made her debut for Harborough this year, adding further strength to the team. Age group PBs were set in 100m (13.9), 200m (28.54), Long Jump (4m 40cm), HJ (1.27m), TJ (8 .90m), Pole Vault (1.60m) and 400m (64.89s).
Lianne Brooks (W35), our youngster, came back from maternity leave for the last league match of the season and ran her heart out. We are looking forward to having her back for the full season next year.
Congratulations must go to Karen Brooks (2nd claim), who had taken a season away from the track. She was selected to represent England for an international 10km race at Kew Gardens in September this year. She finished a creditable 5th in her age group with a superb time (44m 46s).
Men’s Team
The influx of men joining the track and field team meant that more events were being covered and more points added to their score. Pete Leach was an absolute star, trying his hardest in sprint events that were a long way out of his ‘comfort zone’. He knocked a whole second off his 100m PB in his cup final run. Chris Monk also made every league match and cup final; his sprinting prowess a legend and who knew he could race walk as well? Iain Barber set a PB in the Men’s 200m Hurdles; even finding time to photograph others in their track and field endeavour. Dave Ward, Steve King, Dave Maclean, Gary Bennett, Simon Poynton, Sean Fenwick, Mick Anderson, Gary Hogdkinson, Anton McCalla , Luke Parker, Jon Graham, Ted Outhwait and Gary Bennett all played their part in getting men’s team to the cup final and without doubt this feels like the start of great things to come.
Officials
A huge thank you goes to Martin Hughes, Rosemary Fairie, Howard Crabtree and Ian Anholm who kindly gave up their time to support us with officiating. Without their help we would not be able to compete!
League and Cup finals
The Women’s team finished 2nd in the track and field league and came third in the Cup final (an excellent outcome given the number of injuries on the day). The Men’s team finished 6th again suffering from athletes who were injured or ill. The combined team finished 4th on the overall ‘B’ cup final, which is the best performance for a few years.
