Report by Tom Gayle

The potential future of British Athletics gathered again for the second highlight of the domestic young athletes campaign, the National Championships. Most of those who had shone at the English Schools were looking to confirm their status, while others who perhaps didn’t were out looking for revenge. With the added talent of those from Wales, Scotland and Ireland the weekend in Birmingham was certainly going to be competitive.

Three of the four club medallist from the English Schools were again present and all three once again found themselves on the podium.

In the U15 boys Hammer Sean Lewis cemented his position as UK Number two as he and Matt Lambley (Sheffield) both picked up the same medals they obtained at Nottingham.

Lambley was again in supreme form. His winning throw of 62.18 was just 40cm short of the championship best. Sean further extended his personal best and club record with a throw of 53.64.

Many would perhaps be disheartened, and indeed distracted by Lambley’s superiority (he has thrown the fourth longest distance ever in the UK for this age group), but Sean has kept his focus and consistency to ensure he produced his best form on the National stage.

The other two medals came in the Pole Vault. Here both Alex Williams in the U15’s and Sean Lewis in the U17’s had to suffer the role reversal of Nottingham, as both placed 2^nd behind those they had defeated at the English Schools.

Williams claimed Silver with a vault of 3.50 behind the winner James Hoad's (Enfield and Haringey) clearance of 3.60. With a personal best of 3.60 Williams will be probably more frustrated than disappointed that he couldn’t add the AAA crown to his Schools title.

The two though will be set for round three at the beginning of September as both will be competing in the National Young Athlete’s Final, again at Birmingham, where hopefully Williams will regain his status as UK number one!

The trend continued in the U17 boys competition as Steven Lewis suffered his first defeat of the season within this age group. Keith Highman (Border) like Hoad in the younger age group ensured that he also gained his revenge by winning with a clearance of 4.50 to Steven’s 4.20.

Unlike their younger counter part there is no scheduled rematch but Lewis is likely to target Highman’s UK Number one spot of 4.80 for the remainder of the campaign.

Lewis’s fellow U17, Nathan Lawton, continued his frustrating season by placing 13^th in 3.40. Last years top U15 vaulter has been inconsistent all season. After clearing 3.80 back in June (which would have placed him 5^th in Birmingham) the promising vaulter has failed to do himself justice on the National stage. Hopefully next year he can use these difficult experiences to help motivate him to pick up a long over due national medal.

Emily Clowes was again in action in the throwing disciplines. After placing 7^th in the shot with a new personal best of 10.68, she unfortunately couldn’t reproduce her best form in her stronger event the discus.

The promising Clowes in only her second season in the sport, is at her best capable of 35/36 metres, which would have been in contention for the minor medals. Instead she was left with only the thoughts of what might have been by finishing 7^th with a throw of 33.56. Still a first year in this age group, I’m sure she’ll be a major medal contender next year!

One alarmingly downside to the competition though was the level of Stoke AC participation at these championships. Considering the championships were being held in Birmingham and the club boasts one of the best reputations for producing a vast array of junior talent due to the success of the Young Athletes teams, the club needs to address the fact that only five Stoke AC athletes were present. I’m sure at least four times that figure could have gained invaluable experience of competing against the countries best athletes.

Full results from the championships can be found at www.gbrathletics.com/h/02aaa-17.htm

U17 Boys

Pole Vault
2. Steven Lewis 4.20
13. Nathan Lawton 3.40

Hammer
2. Sean Lewis 53.64

Pole Vault
2. Alex Williams 3.50

U17 Girls

Shot
7. Emily Clowes 10.68

Discus
8. Clowes 33.56