The Schools’ Track and Field International at windy Bedford saw a record-breaking number of 18 medals – 3 gold, 3 silver and 12 bronze - by a Welsh team that was the youngest ever to take part in the four nations international.
Rhys Hodnett (The Cathedral) started the medal haul with silver in the first event, the hammer with a best effort of 57.39m, just 56cms short of the gold.
15 year old pole vaulter Lewis Newton (St Teilo’s) went into the competition with a personal best of 3.90metres and despite clearing that height on his third attempt, he was inspired to go and create three personal bests to claim bronze with a best of 4.20metres.
With Rhys and Lewis setting an early bench mark, it was left to three North Wales girls to bring home the gold medals in performances which stunned the partisan English crowd.
In the 300metres hurdles, 15-year old Megan Rogers (Maelor Penley), in her first year at the event, defied the strong headwind in the back straight. Despite favorite Jenny White of England being inside Megan, the multi-talented North Walian stole a march on the opposition as she blasted over the first three flights of hurdles. Coming into the home straight a clear five metres ahead, the opposition failed to close the gap and she crossed the line in 44.54secs to capture gold.
Sprinter, long and high jumper Hannah Thomas (St Joseph’s) was unable to do the high jump as it clashed with the 100metres.It turned out to be a wise decision to switch to the sprints. Going into the short sprint with a best of 12.11secs, Hannah scorched down the track and gave Irish runner Joan Healey, who had just returned from the World Junior Championships in Poland, a huge fright to claim the silver medal with a massive personal best time of 11.98secs and take her to 4th in the UK ranking list. It was the first time that a Welsh Under 17 sprinter had broken the 12secs barrier in over 20-years. Hannah was chased home by teammate Mica Moore (Bassaleg) who also sliced a huge chunk off her best with a time of 12.15secs to win bronze.
Hannah’s form in the short sprint was nothing compared to her performance in the 200metres. A best of 25.20secs prior to the race did not suggest a medal but with the team getting on the podium at regular intervals, she defied the disadvantage of having the tight inside lane, to reduce her best to 24.34secs and claim gold.
The third golden starlet from the north was pole vaulter Christina Hughes (Mold Alun). At the Welsh Schools’ Championships two weeks earlier in atrocious conditions she lost to her teammate Rebecca Davies (Hawarden) as well as sharing a new Welsh under 17 age-group record with Elinor Lewis in a three way tie at 3.50metres. In difficult windy conditions at Bedford Christina not only reclaimed the National record with a vault of 3.60meters, she secured a third gold for her team and North Wales.
In a tactical race the girls 800metres saw captain Benytta Doman (Gwynllyw) mix it with faster athletes but their reputation held no fears as she gradually pulled back the opposition in the last 200metres and claim a superb silver medal with a time of 2:12.98secs.
The boys 100metres saw Tom Coleman (Preseli) showed his true qualities and reduced his personal best from 11.16secs to claim a stunning bronze medal as he ran under the 11-sec barrier for the first time, stopping the clock in 10.92secs.
Boys team captain Tomos Edwards (Maes yr Yrfa) led by example by claiming two bronze medals with personal bests in both events. In the shot he reached out to 15.98metres and 46.27metres in the discus.
18 medals augurs well for the future of the sport in Wales with 60% of team available again next year.
Pictures courtesy of Keith Mayhew
