Sheffield’s E.I.S arena was once again the destination for Shildon’s young starlets as the inaugural Northern u13 / 15 age group Championships took place on 2nd February. U13 girls Maddie Wells and Rachel Bennett both qualified for the 60m semi-finals with comfortable wins from their heats and, as the races increased in importance, the girls simply increased their pace.
In the semi-finals Maddie found herself up against Chesterfield’s unbeaten Northern 200m champion Nazhrah Simpson. Cool and unfased, Maddie composed herself after a false start from one of the other athletes. She reacted with lightening reflexes, catapulting herself forwards as the gun sounded and promptly inflicted Nazhrah’s first defeat on her, as she secured victory by half a metre in a new club record and personal best performance.
Semi-final number two pitted Rachel against Derbyshire’s Florance Beedie. Florance was quick away but Rachel’s now trademark drive phase gave her the upper hand until easing off over the last 10m, which enabled Florance to secure the win with a late dip for the line.
As the girls lined up for the final, their 3rd race in only 90 minutes, it was apparent Shildon were the only club represented by two athletes. Nazhrah Simpson was the 1st to show, along with Florance Beedie, however late surges from the Shildon girls ended in a blanket finish that was too close to call. With only 1/10th of a second separating the 1st four places, a photo finish was required to prove fast finishing Maddie narrowly failed to overhaul Nazhrah as she crossed the line 2nd in another pb and new club record of 8.35s.
Rachel had also managed to overturn her semi-final result to gain 3rd place and the bronze medal.
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
