Despite having several people unavailable, a solid team of 47 Chiltern Harriers young athletes took part in the first match of the season at a gusty and drizzly Eton on Sunday. Up against two of the stronger teams in the 9-team Division 1 South (North West), the Chiltern team were narrowly pipped into third place on the day but, with accumulated event points being the measure of league position, this left the club in mid table after the first round of matches.
Under 17 men
There were wins for Jack Walker in the 800m, George Gillingwater in the 1500m, Liam McDonald in the 3000m and the 4 x 400m relay team of George Gillingwater, Daniel Cady, Liam McDonald and Jack Walker. Dominic Janson and Tom Brady also picked up useful points in the sprint events.
Under 15 boys
Chiltern's sole victory in this age group went to newcomer Tim Riley in the shot but there were good performances throughout with Nick Brabbs and Steven Kendall in the sprints, Joe Aherne, Michael Goddard, Alex Johnson, and Ben Whitney in the 400m and middle distance events, and Callum Reid-Jones, Sam Baldwin and Joe Cowan in the throws. Josh Meier had a good debut in the high jump and long jump.
Under 13 boys
Sprinter Matt Sperling was star of the show on his debut with wins in the 100m and 200m. There was also a win for the 4 x 100m relay team of Charlie Smith, Will Perkin, Josh Hughes and Matt Sperling. Other contributions came from George Robinson, Charles Page, Sam Henning and David Willcox.
Under 17 women
There were wins for Catherine Haigh in the triple jump, Phoebe Cutter in the discus and the 4 x 100m relay team of Georgie MacDonald, Phoebe Cutter, Isabelle Assirati and Sophie East.
Under 15 girls
Wins went to Chloe Allen in the 800m, Rosalind Firth in the 1500m and Amy Nicholson in the 200m. As with the U15 boys, this age group did well across the board with Sarah Cross, Hannah Shepard, Chess Gordge and Claudia McInerney in the sprints, Connie Lewis and Hannah Wardley in the middle distance events, and everyone chipping in with the field events.
Under 13 girls
Rebecca Yeabsley won the 70m hurdles and Claire Buttivant the shot in this age group with good points elsewhere coming from Rachel Klima, Robyn Lisle, Georgia Bingham, Hannah Thear, Evie Gardner and Becky Mohr.