Emma Jackson was the clubs star performer at the British University Championships held over the bank holiday weekend as she placed second in the women’s 800m.

While great things have come to be expected of last years World Junior Semi Finalist her performance was given more kudos due to the standard of the opposition. The line up for the final was soaked in quality as Jackson’s rival’s included Rachel Thompson (Loughborough) who boasts a personal best of 2.03.57, Abbey Westly (Loughborough) who was ranked second behind Jackson in last years U20 800m and topped the 1500m list, and former multiple English schools champion over the distance, Hayley Beard (Birmingham).

Undaunted by her peers' credentials Jackson took full advantage of the still conditions and grabbed the race by the scruff of the neck to lead the field through a swift 61 second opening lap. Into the second half of the race the Alan Morris coached athlete refused to give up pole position and continued to lead into the home straight. By then Jackson only had Westly for company and after holding off the Loughborough students first attack the older Westley proved to be just too strong as she eventually passed Jackson in the final 50m of the race.

Along with her silver medal the 18 year old was rewarded with a new personal best, a new club record and the qualifying time for this summers European Junior Championships that are scheduled to he held in Holland in July. While some may have been disappointed to loose the race in the closing stages Jackson was over the moon with her performance. “The main aim was to get under the qualifying time (2.06.00) for the Euro Juniors so I am really pleased to get a PB so early in the season” added the Keele University Student. Furthermore, of her conquerer Westly she graciously commented that “Its not a bad thing to be beaten by Abbey, she’s running really well at the moment as was just a bit stronger than me at the end”.

Rodger Skedd endured an extremely busy and frustrating weekend. While many team manager’s were left tearing their hair out due to the unavailability of some of their athletes due the events clash with the opening British League fixture the 24 year old tackled epitomised the mindset of a decathlete and seized upon the opportunity to participate in both. After gathering 58 points for the clubs men’s team on home turf on Saturday, Skedd quickly dashed down to Bedford. The second half of his weekends activities got off to a slow start as the club first ace surprisingly no heighted in the pole vault, an event that he had been keen to do well in. The Thames Valley student explained his misfortune  was due to him “experimenting with bigger poles at the moment”. A chance for redemption was offered later in the day in the shot putt.

Frustratingly, despite registering a new outdoor personal best of 13.23, the London based athlete just missed out on the bronze medal by a mere 10cm. It seemed though come bank holiday Monday Skedd finally attained his just rewards in the 110m hurdles. To the naked eye Skedd ran a brilliant race to push William Sharman (Loughborough), who was the 3^rd fastest Briton over the event in 2006 with a time of 13.49, all the way to the line in a thrilling battle and secure a much deserved silver medal. A delighted Skedd was further thrilled to see he had recorded a new personal best of 14.18. Moments later his joy was turned to despair as he and third placer Daniel Davis (Brunel) had been disqualified. Upon consulting the judges they revealed that the Stoke A.C affiliate had been controversially disqualified for hitting seven hurdles and Davis for striking just one! Skedd commented he was  “extremely annoyed, but pleased that I ran so quick even though it won’t count in the rankings”.

Elsewhere Steve Butterfield showed what a valuable asset to the Senior Men’s British League campaign he will be this season with an encouraging 11.10 clocking in the opening round of the 100m, but unfortunately exited the competition at the semi final stage, while Danny Barker is back training regularly now and after opening his track campaign with the 1500m will now switch his attentions to the longer distances for the rest of the season.  

Stoke AC Results 

Men
100m
Heat 6 (+1.1) - 2. Steve Butterfield (Edge Hill) 11.10
Semi Final 1 (-0.9) - 5. Butterfield 11.40

1500m
Heat 2 - 9. Danny Barker (Staffordshire) 4.20.30

110m Hurdles
Heat 3 (+1.1) - 2. Rodger Skedd (Thames Valley) 14.55
Final - DQ Skedd

Shot
Qualifying Group B - 1. Skedd 12.98
Final - 4. Skedd 13.23 

Women
800m
Heat 4 - 1. Emma Jackson 2.16.48
Semi Final 2 - 2. Jackson 2.10.39
Final - 2. Jackson 2.04.41

Full reports, results and pictures from the championships can be found at http://www.busa.org.uk