A tremendous team performance at recent Midland Masters B league cup final saw the Harborough Athletics Women’s team storming to victory, 26 points ahead of the next women’s team (Telford).
8 athletes covered 32 events. Maria Shaw set the track alight with wins in the 200m, 400m, 800m and a second in 1500m, Sue Frisby 1st in 100m,leaving the rest of competitors in her wake, 1st in long jump (W50) and 1st in 400m (W60). Ursula Stevens ran a magnificent 3000m (W40) setting a significant personal best (PB) placing her 2nd in her race, she also gained valuable points in 100m (W35) finishing in 4th. Jill Roginski came first and set PB’s in the 100m, triple Jump and shot in W60 age group, achieving a lifetime best of 9m 60cm in the shot; she was 2nd in 200m (W50) and 3rd in Hammer (W35). Pam Hilliam, running in 100m and 200m, gave away five years in age to fellow competitors, finishing 4th in both events and 2nd in the shot (W70); her brilliant first leg in the 4x100m relay helped the team secure first place. Linda New has battled with injury all year but pulled out tremendous performances on the day, setting a PB and 1st in 2km Walk (W60), 1st in Javelin (W40) with PB of 21m 35cm in 600g weight, 4th in Hammer and a brilliant 2nd in 3000m (W60). Anabel Kanjurs in her first season on the track took on the 800m (W50)coming 5th and 2nd in W50 1500m, she also ran in the 4x400m relay, where her outstanding performance kept Harborough in contention for 1st place, Maria Shaw was ideally positioned to take the victory on the last lap. Sheila Berry’s recent calf injury prevented her from running and jumping but did not hold her back, finishing 3rd in both the Shot (W35) and Discus (W50).
Jill Roginski (Team Captain) could not have been prouder of her team. “They gave their all! A great team performance and a well deserved victory after closely contested area matches throughout the season. A huge thank you to Graham Hiller, Martin Hughes, Judy Rowley, Geshom Nyathi and Sheila Berry for Officiating on the day, without their support the team could not compete. Thanks also to Mel Brocklebank, Rosemary Ferrie and Harvey Speed, who have also helped officiate at all the league matches.”
The men’s team finished 8th, just a couple of points behind 7th placed team but considering there were only 3 athletes they did an amazing job. Gary Hodgkins competed in 4 events, showing his versatility and coming 2nd in 100m, 3rd in 3000m and 6th in the hammer and shot. Chris Monk showed his ‘world class status ’ , winning both the 100m and 200 (M70) by a significant distance and Lewis Parker set a PB in the 1500m finishing in 3rd place.
The combined overall position in the B Cup final was a creditable 5th.
A really great end to the track and field season!!!
Jill Roginki
