The Surrey County Indoor Championships were held once again at the David Weir Leisure Centre in Carshalton and attracted almost 380 competitors from around the county.
Competition is always fierce at this meeting, but almost all the Sutton athletes achieved personal bests in their chosen events, with some reaching their ultimate goal in medalling, as outlined below:
Jacob Veerapen- Gold in U20m Long Jump & Silver in U20m Triple Jump,
Andrew Enchill- Gold in U17m Triple Jump,
Georgia Duthie- Gold in U15g Pole Vault & Silver in U15g High Jump,
Lucy Hoad- Gold in U17w 60m,
Jade Ive- Gold in Senior Women's Pole Vault,
Maddy Sketchley- Gold in U17w Pole Vault,
Sid Walters- Silver in U20m High Jump,
Nicholas Veerapen- Silver in U17m Triple Jump,
Sophia Henlon- Bronze in U17w 60m.
Special mention should go to Lucy Hoad, who's time of 7.74 seconds puts her in the UK top ten in the extremely competitive 60m event in her age group, which particularly pleased her coach, Mark Briggs.
Our pricture shows Sophia Henlon & Lucy Hoad with their medals
Going further afield to the 39th Welsh National Indoor Championships in Cardiff were two Sutton & District AC athletes, Cameron Starr & Jake Field, who both had specific objectives in sight.
Cameron, who is Welsh registered, was aiming for his first international vest by finishing in the first two
in the final of the U20 men 200m. He won his heat in a rapid 22.76s, but finished fourth in the final with 22.92s. His disappointment was obvious, but his wonderfully relaxed and fluid running style will be more suited to the outdoor track and he will get the Welsh international vest his talent richly deserves.
Again in the U20 men age group, Jake Field's main aim was to jump at least 2.00 metres in the High Jump, which had so far eluded him despite very close attempts in previous competitions this year. To his obvious joy, he both won the competition and jumped 2.00 metres, which again places him in the UK top ten for his age group.
Both Cameron and Jake, along with some of the medallists from the Surrey County Championships, will be competing at the end of season England National Indoor Championships in Sheffield, against the very best athletes in the UK. A fantastic achievement in itself, with a real possibility of medals to be had.