Last weekend (25/26th August) five of the National CE Squad travelled to compete over two days at the Antrim Forum for the ANI Combined Events Championships. In the U17 girls heptathlon Amy McTeggart, (Boyne AC), took gold over the two days with a total of 3908 points. This was a significant 500+ point victory over her nearest competitor. It was a great performance with Amy demonstrating her competitive spirit coming less than a month after she took gold at her own national championships.

In the junior womens heptathlon Karen Dunne, (Bohermeen AC), took silver by a margin of 386 with a total of 3476 points over two days of competition. This was only 27 points short of Karen’s total at the Woodies DIY National CE Championships where she took silver.

Helen Buckley, (Raheny Shamrock AC), took gold in the senior women’s heptathlon with a total of 3614 points. This was a well deserved result for Helen who has shown great commitment to her heptathlon preparations and was rewarded with the Northern Ireland senior womens Heptathlon championship title for 2012. Eric Stam, Bandon AC, and Shane Aston, Trim AC, battled hard for two days in a competitive decathlon. In the end Eric prevailed taking the bronze medal with 5,016 points, just 186 behind his rival with whom he competed valiantly all weekend. Shane took fourth place despite a foot injury sustained at the hurdles on the start of day two hampering his running. Nonetheless this did not prevent him from demonstrating excellent competency in the field events.

A great weekend was enjoyed by all that travelled to compete or support at the Antrim Forum. Thanks to all at Athletics Northern Ireland for a terrific competition. The CE community now turns its attention to theschools championships in September and to the resumption of the national squad sessions.

For more information on the national combined events squad please contact; Kieron Stout, National Coordinator for Combined Events,Email: combinedevents@athleticsireland.ie Mobile: 086 2450134.