Report by Tom Gayle

The next generation of stars descended upon a warm and blustery Bedford over the weekend for what is many the main target for the season. While the cream of U20’s were chasing a trip to the Caribbean for the World Juniors in Jamaica in July (only the winners on the day, providing they had achieved the UKA Qualification standard, were guaranteed selection), for the U23’s National medals and titles provided the main motivation.

With over 1200 entries the competition was always going to be fierce. Star performance from both a Stoke perspective, and of the meeting as a whole, was Katie Dennison’s win in the U20 women’s pole vault. After weeks of frustration, and the added pressure of this probably being her last opportunity to impress the selectors, Kate finally secured a place to Jamaica. She retained her AAA title with a meeting best winning vault of 3.95 which was a personal best, broke the UK age group record, but more importantly matched the UKA qualification standard for the event.

Having broken the indoor record over the winter many thought that 3.95 would come easy, but far from it. After a few nervous weeks Dennison finally achieved the vault with a first time clearance that suggested there is more to come. On the day she was pushed hard by Zoe Brown (Shaftesbury Barnet) who herself was in record breaking form setting a new Irish Senior record of 3.85.

She did later attempt 4.05 but as a result of mixed emotions (elation and relief) she unfortunately never really mustered a serious attempt at the height. This now means that Kate will tragically have to miss out on the trip to Nottingham in a fortnight for the English Schools Championship, and instead pack her case for next best option of Kingston Jamaica, its such a hard life athletics!

Stoke A.C would like to wish Kate, and all the other Juniors selected for the championships good luck.

Full results from the U23/U20 championships can be found at www.gbrathletics.com/h/02aaa-2023.htm, while a full report on the championships can be found in this weeks Athletics Weekly magazine (3/07/02)

A complete list of those selected to compete in the World Junior Championships can be found at www.ukathletics.net, while more information about the event itself can be found at the official website for the championship www.kingston2002.org

Stoke AC Results

U23 Men

1500m
Heat 2
8. Alex Wright 4.02.9

Heat 3
5. Matthew Jones 3.59.7


U23 Women

400m
Final
6. Rebecca Heath 59.91


U20 Men

1500m
Heat 1
6. Tom Gayle 3.59.3

Pole Vault
7. Stephen Lewis 4.20

Javelin
10. Rob Eggleton 50.51


U20 Women

Pole Vault
1. Katie Dennison 3.95 New UK Record and MBP