Report by Tom Gayle
Bright start for Brackstone and Davidson at
BUSA
Students! Just a bunch of tax dodging lay-abouts
hey! Well not all of them are as a great bank holiday weekend of athletics
proved in Bedford. In what is often the seasonal opener for the nations
elite student athletes, Stoke AC were credited with some fine performances
that indicate great promise for the forthcoming summer ahead.
David Brackstone and Wendy Davidson were the
cream of stoke talent on show at Bedford both medalling in the 400m and 100m
hurdles.Twelve months ago Brackstone (Loughborough) took Bronze over his
strongest event the 400m hurdles. What followed that was a season of injury
frustration. This year a slight niggle persuaded him to start off his
campaign over the 400m flat, where he went one better than last year taking
silver in the closest race of the weekend. In blustery conditions Brackstone
set a new personal best of 47.69, just outside the clubs 15 year old club
record of 47.5 held by M Briggs.
During the race itself with 100m to go the
title seemed to be within the comfortable grasp of Robert Tobin
(Southampton) who had a seemingly uncatchable lead. The drama began to
unfold with 60m to go though as Tobin began to fade allowing Brackstone and
his team mate James Chatt along with Adam Potter (Bath) all to come into
contention for the crown.
Chatt, sixth in last years final, produced
the strongest finish to take the title, while Brackstone just piped Tobin by
0.01 for the Silver, as just 0.28 separated the first four. A delighted
Brackstone will now switch his attentions to the hurdles with the target of
qualification for July’s European U23 Championships in Poland being the
primary focus.
Heptathlete Davidson (Staffordshire) capped
off an extremely hectic weekend with Bronze medal in the hurdles. Having
already contested the Long Jump and Shot at the championship she finally
made it onto the rostrum over her strongest event.
After looking good in her heats when placing
second to Loughborough’s Tasim Stephens she took bronze in the final
behind winner Helen Worsey (Loughborough) who set a championship best of
13.45, with Stephens second.
After receiving her medal she didn’t have
too much time to dwell on her achievement though as she still had the relay
final to run!
Two of the clubs top sprinters also had a
busy weekend too. The Keith Fradley coached duo of Mike Bourne (Crewe &
Alsager) and Rachael Redmond (Staffordshire) both competed well throughout a
busy schedule. Both reached the final of the 100m placing 7th and
8th respectively, and although both produced better runs in the
semi final both seemed pleased with their efforts.
Over the 200m while Bourne looked tired
following his exertions in the 100m, and exited at the semi final stage.
Redmond though seemed to get stronger and in a tight battle for bronze she
unfortunately missed out on a medal in the final by 0.08 with just 0.17
separating 3rd through to 6th.
It was a frustrating weekend for the clubs
2002 World Junior Pole Vault finalist Kate Dennison (Staffordshire) as she
placed fourth. Having won the indoor equivalent back in February she was a
strong favourite to add the outdoor crown.
A constant swirling wind meant that all
competitors would find vaulting difficult and Dennison did especially as
despite boasting a personal best of 4.00 she had to settle for 3.50 on this
occasion.
Despite her clear frustration I sure she’ll
bounce back and ensure qualification for this years European Junior
Championship in Finland the next time she returns to Bedford for the
National U20 Championships in late June.
Stoke AC Results
100m
Heat 2 (+2.1)
1. Mike Bourne (Crewe & Alsager) 11.0
Semi Final 2 (+3.6)
3. Bourne 10.88
Final (+1.0)
7. Bourne 11.08
200m
Heat 1 (-0.6)
2. Bourne 23.43
Semi Final 3 (+3.5)
8. Bourne 23.32
400m
Heat 1
1. David Brackstone (Loughborough) 49.70
Semi Final 3
2. Brackstone 49.12
Final
2. Brackstone 47.69
Women
100m
Heat 2 (+0.8)
1. Rachel Redmond (Staffordshire) 12.3
Semi Final 1 (+2.0)
3. Redmond 12.08
Final (-0.1)
8. Redmond 12.35
200m
Heat 4 (-2.3)
3. Redmond 25.91
Semi Final (+2.8)
4. Redmond 25.15
Final (+1.8)
4. Redmond 25.24
1500m
Heat 1
11. Claire Brooker 5.20.69
100m hurdles
Heat 1 (+1.1)
2. Wendy Davidson (Staffordshire) 14.09
Final (+1.3)
3. Davidson 14.01
Pole Vault
4. Katie Dennison (Staffordshire) 3.50
Long Jump
Qualification
Davidson 5.68
Final
10. Davidson 5.43
Shot
10. Davidson 10.67
Full results can be found at www.gbrathletics.com/h/03busa.htm,
while a full report on the championship can be read in Athletics Weekly
(7/05/03)
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