THE coaching staff at Yate & District AC really deserve a big pat on their collective back with confirmation that the club will have 17 athletes competing at the English Schools’ Championships in Manchester a week today (July 8/9th).
The club has spread its talent generously with athletes representing five counties at the two-day event which is traditionally billed as the ‘Kids’ Olympics’.
Avon leads the way with eight athletes named in the squad, including high jumper Luke Ball who is already a two-times champion in this event.
Wiltshire boasts four Yate athletes in their county team including three hammer throwers – brothers Adam and Owen Merrett, plus James Viner – who are all coached by Matt Spicer.
Indeed, Spicer, who once competed with distinction for both Yate and Bristol & West AC, deserves enormous credit for his work in turning the hammer into a powerhouse event for the West Country.
“I am very proud to learn that seven of my throwers have been selected to represent their county at English Schools,” said Spicer.
Also selected are Felicity Whiteway and Matt Page for Avon, Maisy Harvey (Gloucestershire) and Dylan Menhennet (Hereford & Worcestershire).
AVON
Junior Girls
Isabelle Walkey (100 metres)
Evie Moir (High Jump)
Ash Hillier Smith (Hammer)
Estelle Lowe (1500 metres)
Inter Girls
Laura Chance (1500 metres)
Felicity Whiteway (Hammer)
Inter Boys
Matthew Page (Hammer)
Senior Boys
Luke Ball (High Jump)
DORSET
Junior Girls
Arisa Burgess (Pole Vault)
GLOUCESTERSHIRE
Inter Boys
Louis Tutcher (Discus)
Senior Girls
Maisy Harvey (Hammer)
Senior Boys
Frederick Cooper (2000m Steeplechase)
HEREFORD & WORCESTER
Senior Boys
Dylan Menhennet (Hammer)
WILTSHIRE
Inter Boys
Adam Merrett (Hammer)
Senior Girls
Kirsty Treglown (100 metres)
Senior Boys
James Viner (Hammer)
Owen Merrett (Hammer)