The undoubted star of the Welsh Schools’ team was the youngest member,
Lauren Bell (Bro Gwaun - Dyfed), who showed maturity far beyond her tender age to gain maximum points in the 800 metres.
Having just turned 13 at the end of last year, the Fishguard based athlete controlled the race from the gun and smashed her personal best by two seconds in storming home to victory in a time of 2:18.8s, holding off a late burst from Ireland’s Katie Kirk.
Lauren’s time is the fastest in the UK this winter in the Under 15-age group. Sarah Mead’s National Under 15 indoor record of 2:17.30s set in 1994 will be the target for Lauren next season.
Lauren has another two years within the age group for the international and will now turn her focus on the Welsh Schools’ Cross-Country Championships at Brecon on Saturday 8th March and try and gain a place in the team for the SIAB Cross-Country International in Perth, Scotland on Friday 28th March.
Another middle-distance star with a trip to Perth in mind is 15-year old Natasha Cockram (Croesyceiliog- SE Wales). Scotland’s Ellie Buchan set the pace for most of the 1500m race but entering the back straight on the last lap, Natasha burst clear to shatter her best by nearly two seconds. Her winning time of 4:45.79s shot her up to third in the UK Under-17 age group rankings and was 12-seconds faster than in winning the Welsh title three weeks earlier.
In the men’s shot competition Rheon James (Bro Myrddin- Dyfed) was in a class of his own as he had three throws over 13 metres. His first round effort of 13.85metres was good enough to claim maximum points for Wales.
The fourth Welsh victory came in the very last event from team captain Hannah Thomas (St Joseph’s – NE Wales). Having gained second place in the long jump, just 2cms short of her personal best and third place in the 60 metres, Hannah was no match for the opposition in her speciality the high jump.
Her second attempt clearance at 1.64m gained her a fine victory and she went on to have three close failures at a new personal best height of 1.70metres.
It was fine all-round performance by a young Welsh team in this inaugural international and they did well to finish second in the overall team competition behind the all powerful Irish squad.
Plans are already in place to make it a four- nation event next winter with the inclusion of a foreign country to add to the profile of the international.
