Clare’s Alice Akers (Scariff CC) and Kerry’s Adam King (Colaiste na Sceilige Cahirciveen) impressed in the hammer event’s at the Aviva SIAB Schools Track and Field International in Ashford, Kent on Saturday 21st of July. Both athletes were members of the Irish team that competed against International athletes from England, Scotland and Wales. The English team in particular had a very strong squad, producing many fine performances throughout the day’s competition.
Akers took centre stage and launched the hammer a distance of 52.22m, which was a new personal best. Akers was the only athlete in the competition to throw over 50m, Rebecca Keating of England finished second with a throw of 46.66m. King, who has been in record breaking form all season threw brilliantly to place second in the boys hammer with a throw of 66.66m. This left King only 7cm behind the winner, England’s Taylor Campbell 66.73m.
Cork’s David Cussen (Colaiste an Spioraid Naomh, Cork) won the high jump for the second year in succession with a clearance of 2.02m. Jamie Murtagh (Ashbourne CS) cleared 1.97m to take second place. In the Girls’ High Jump Shannen Dawkins (St Mary’sNew Ross) jumped a PB of 1.70m to take the silver.
Another Cork athlete impressing at the event was Louise Shanahan (Scoil Mhuire, Cork) who placed third in the 800m in a time of 2.12.52. Shanahan went with the fast early pace set out by England’s Loren Bleaken. Shanahan was rewarded for her gutsy performance by recording a new personal best. The race was won by Bleaken in a time of 2.07.67.
The Irish Schools’ have a good tradition in the walks and Sinead Burke (Maynooth PPS) kept that tradition alive with an excellent win in 14.57.89 with Edel Glennon (St Finian’s Mullingar) in 3rd.
Irish team captain Hannah O’Sullivan (Boherbue Community School) set a great example for the rest of the team by placing second in the discus. O’Sullivan threw a distance of 41.28m to place a brilliant second. In the Boys Shot John Kelly (Royal & Prior Raphoe) had an impressive series of puts and finished second with 16.52m. While Colin Kingston (Bandon Grammer School) placed third in the discus with 42.41m.
The sprinters were in good form with Roisin Harrison (Villiers School Limerick) placed second in the 200m in a new personal best of 24.78 and Zak Irwin (Sligo Grammar) 3rd in the boys 200m. Sam Healy (Carrigaline Community School) competed in the boy’s long jump and finished second with a jump of 6.59m
At the end of a long day of competition the Irish team finished in second place overall behind the strong England squad. A great effort by all the athletes involved.
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