A hot sunny Saturday, while the rest of the country watched the Royal Wedding, Grantham Athletic Club U13 and U15 athletes compete in the second round of the Youth Development League. Seven other clubs from across the Midlands joined us at the South Kesteven Sports Stadium competing in a range of track and field events.

Sixteen Grantham athletes joined the composite Team Notts Lincs Alliance, to test themselves against some strong competition. The day began with the U13 G Hurdle event, where Sofia Daniele competed at her first track competition and did herself proud, clearing every hurdle and coming in 4th place (16.2s), her day continued with the Shot where she threw 4.32m, placing her 6th she then returned to the track to come a respectable 5th in the 75m. Fellow athlete Scarlett Bird, also new to competition, showed great determination in her track events placing 2nd in the 150m (21.8) and also showed real promise in the 75m sprint. Two more U13 girls competed for GAC, Lilli Rawlinson and Olivia Marshall. Lilli Rawlinson, our third athlete new to competing, shock off her nerves and put a mighty effort, into her two track events, her 150m event she came 7th (25.0) against some experienced girls, followed by the 800m where she placed 5th (3.29) last up was Olivia Marshall who had a great Cross Country season with GAC and was looking to transfer her skills onto the track, unfortunately despite Olivia showing real guts and determination and a willingness to continue, she had to pull out of the 1200m race, due to an injury. She did however manage to shake this disappointment off and competed well in the Shot throwing 3.63m coming in 4th place.

Sisters Amy and Erin Crook represented the U15 girls, it was fantastic to see these athletes compete in events that pushed them out of their comfort zone, for the team. Erin had three events, she pushed hard around the track in the 300m event placing 3rd (49.5), she then had a clear run in a tough 75m Hurdles event, placing 6th (17.3) and finished her events with High Jump. Older sister Amy took part in three individual events, 800m with a time of 2.52 narrowly missing her PB, 200m placing 6th, achieving a PB by over three seconds (30.9) and new to the Shot she threw 4.17m gaining her 3rd. A strong and promising competition from the female athletes.

Not to be outdone the six U13 boys put in gallant efforts across all events. George Scaum achieved Personal bests in both his events, in the Long Jump he placed 6th (3.69m) and in his preferred event the Shot, he came first with a throw of 7.3m. A great day for George. Alex Cole also joined George in the Shot, for the first time at competition level and threw a respectable 6.34m. Charlie Denton had the opportunity to throw Javelin for the team at this event and he did not disappoint, beating his PB by over a meter, he placed first with a throw of 18.79m he also ran and gave it everything in the 100m Jamie Milner, Jack Pemberton and Arran Soutar have only just joined GAC and have shown great team spirit by jumping straight into competition. Jamie took part in two events, placing third in 100m with a time of 15s and in the 800m he came fourth with a great time of 2:47. Arran Soutar tackled both of his events head on and came third in the 200m (31.0) and fourth in 800m (2:52.3). Jack Pemberton took on the middle distance event, 1500m, he placed first in his individual race with a time of 5:14.2, a promising start to their track competition. A strong team of three GAC U15 Athletes had stiff competition, but they did not disappoint. Harry Denton took part in three individual events. The 800m saw him equalling his PB with a time of 2:20 and placing fourth, in the discus he threw 15.49m and placed second and surprising us all and asking to compete in the high jump he cleared 150m and placed second. What a great day for an all-round athlete!

Tom Glendinning had another solid YDL competition and narrowly missed PBs in his track events. He placed first in both the shot (9.73m) and the 200m (24.9) and came second in the 300m (40.5). Joining us for the first time this competition season, George Whinney smashed his 100m PB and came home fourth with a time of 12.7. He followed this up with a first in the Long Jump, with a solid jump of 5.08m. It was great to witness George being rewarding for all his hard winter training.

The day concluded with the relay events. We saw some fantastic races in both the 4 x 100m and 4 x 300m. The crowd cheered every one of the athletes home on what must have been tired legs after such a hot and tough day of athletics. All age groups did us proud and produced some fantastic results;

4 x 100
U13 Girls, 2nd  (59.1)
U15 Girls, 4th  (55.9)

4 x 100
U13 Boys, 3rd (59.9)
U15 Boys, 1st (51.3)

4 x 300m
U15 Girls, 4th (3:25.7)

A huge thank you once again for all the hard work from the coaches, officials, parents and volunteers. It was a busy match, your help and enthusiasm make such a difference to the day and lastly most of all a big thank you to the young athletes, who train hard and give up their time to represent the club at competition. It is really appreciated.

The final YDL competition will take place on 17 th June at Sutton In Ashfield where we are looking forward to witnessing some fantastic performances. If you are not already signed up, what are you waiting for? The signing up sheet is up on the noticeboard at the Stadium.

Results are up on the YLD site here.