Final Fling for Jacob and what a performance.

Wrexham Final Fling – September 25th

There is a very fine group of young Hammer Throwers emerging at Blackburn Harriers under the watchful eye of their Coach – Michael Hitchon the father of Olympic Hammer Thrower Sophie Hitchon as well as some very good young athletes in Discus, Javelin and Shot Putt under their Coach Jim Kerrigan.

U17 Jacob Roberts is one of those athletes who has come on tremendously in the last year. His final competition of the year saw him travel down to the Wrexham Fling meeting where he entered himself into the 5kg and 6kg Hammer events and what a way to end the season.

In the 5kg event he came second with a new PB of 61.27m which takes him up to 7th place in the National Rankings and means that since October 2014 Jacob has added 18metres to his distance and set a new Club Record yet again. One hour after achieving this, he entered his first 6kg competition throwing 49.60m for 2nd place and beaten by just a metre for first spot.

 Full Results HERE

A delighted young athlete, Jacob told the Club that “I went to Wrexham final fling throws competition last weekend to represent Blackburn Harriers in Wales. I was hoping to achieve a throw over 60 meters (5 kg U 17).  I was over whelmed when my 5th throw was measured at 61:27 meters, giving me another club record and placing myself in UK athletics top ten ( over 60M) and moving up to 7th in UK rankings. I also entered the under 20’s competition , came second with a throw of 49:60 ,was happy with throw first comp with 6kg hammer ( something to work on). It was a great atmosphere as made welcome by everyone at Wrexham throws, I would recommend it to any body to go great fun at the end of the season.
I would again like to thank all at the club who has given me well wishes and encouragement this season especially when injured at beginning of season( thankfully not as serious as I first thought). Finally wish to thank my coaches Mick and Ian who have been patient with me and offered excellent advice and I hope I can make them and the club proud next year after a hard but productive winter training”.

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Harriers young athletes have a very bright future as they finish the season on a high

Liverpool Throws & Jumps Meeting – September 12th

There is nothing more pleasing than when you receive the Results from an athletics fixture to see the name Blackburn Harriers in first position. It tells you that all the hard work of the athletes and Coaches has paid off and this latest weekend is no exception with regards to our young athletes who are finishing off the season with a real bang.

Rebecca Orrell, Jacob Roberts and Charlotte Williams kicked off their final weekend of T & F Athletics at the Liverpool meeting, competing in four events and taking two wins and two 2nd places.

Full Results HERE

Rebecca took 2nd place in the Shot Putt with 8.41m and the win in the Hammer with a throw of 42.99m. Jacob set a new PB and a new Club Record when he took 2nd place in the Hammer with a distance of 59.18m just agonisingly short of the 60m mark. Charlie got the win on the day, again in the Hammer reaching out to 42.72m.

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 Blackpool Open Medal Meeting – September 13th

Rebecca Orrell, Jacob Roberts and Charlotte Williams were out again the day after and were joined by U13’s Emily Raine, Amy Davies and Myah Booth along with U15 Emily Warren. and were out at the Blackpool meeting and really shone with victories, PB’s, Gold Medals and moves up the National Rankings.

Blackpool Results HERE

In the Hammer Charlotte Williams won the U15 Hammer adding nearly two metres to her throw from Liverpool the day before with 44.65m – a new Club Record – and the Shot Putt with a new PB of 9.49m. Charlie finishes the season for the Hammer in 2nd place in the North West Rankings and 5th spot in the National Rankings.

Jacob competed in the one event at Blackpool – the U17 Hammer – and won it with a throw of 57.74m the day after  he threw threw 59.18m at Liverpool which leaves Jacob 2nd in the North West Rankings and 10th Nationally.

Liverpool Video HERE

Rebecca Orrell also won her U20 Hammer event with 43.97m which was a new PB and the Shot Putt with 8.25m. Rebecca now stands at first place in the North West Rankings and 10th Nationally for the Hammer.

A great season for these young athletes and their Coach Mick Hitchon and also for Throws Coach Jim Kerrigan who has a whole number of youngsters who are starting to break through in Throwing events. Rebecca spoke to the Club and commented that “My season has now finished. But I well and truly ended on a high, not only getting two gold medals, in the hammer and shot, but getting a new PB in the hammer. My throws were all consistent but on my final throw, I put all my effort I had, even a little roar, into it. To gave me a new PB of 43.97 metres, which is 78cm further than my previous PB, which was set at English schools. Thanks to Iain Vickery and Mick Hitchon for training me. And a massive thank you to my parents for taking me to all my competitions and their support! Xx”

On to Track events which saw Emily Warren (U15) end her season in real style – three events – three wins. First off was the 100m won in 13.5, then the 200m won in 27.6 and polished off with a win in the 75n Hurdles (12.4).

Emily Raine (u13) tackled three events the first of which was the 100m won in 14.2 then a 4th spot in the High Jump with a clearance of 1.20m and finished off with a 2nd placed new PB of 4.23m in the Long Jump. Emily’s 13.5 100m earlier in the season saw her take the Club Record in her age group by two tenths of a second.

Myah Booth (U13) also entered three events taking 2nd place in the 100m with 15.9, 2nd in the 70m Hurdles (13.3) and set a new PB of 6.34m in the Shot Putt (3rd).

U13 Amy Davies knocked nearly four seconds off her 1500m time to record a new PB of 5.14.8 when she won the Race. Hannah Davies – Amy’s sister – also got involved but there are no results for their U8 events.

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New Personal Bests and Club Record by Harriers Young Athletes at English Schools Combined Events Final

English Schools Combined Events Final at Bedford 19/20th September

Overall Full Results HERE

Individual Results for Nick, Ross and Polly HERE

Some great performances by Blackburn Harriers athletes at these Championships. Ross Liddle who took on the 8 Events Octathlon set 7 new PB’s in an outstanding performance. His PB’s were set in the Long Jump (5.89m) – Discus (30.75m) – Javelin (30.32m) – 400m (54.18) – High Jump (1.73m) – Shot Putt (10.23m) – 1500m (4.49.70). To top all of that, he broke the existing Club Record for the Octathlon – held by Joe Pearse (4365) – with a points total of 4395. Ross told the Club that “The competition went really well, I PB’d in all events except hurdles. It was a great experience which I hope to repeat next year…And a big thank you to all the coaches at the club“.

Nick Massey also set three new PB’s in the five event Pentahlon with 11.66m in the Shot Putt, 2.21.04 in the 800m and a points total of 2453. In addition he ran 12.11 in the 80m Hurdles, jumped 4.96m in the Long Jump and 1.46m in the High Jump. Afterwards Nick said he was “pleased with my result overall, especially pleased with my Shotput, going from 9.50 metres too 11.66 metres, also pleased with my 800m getting a 2 second pb in that, overall good day“.

Polly Pearse contested the 7 event Heptathon and kept the run of PB’s going with 7.43m in the Shot Putt, 28.62 in the 200m and new Points total PB of 3427. In addition she ran 17.01sec in the 100m Hurdles, High Jumped 1.53m, Long Jumped 4.53m, threw the Javelin 24.92m and ran 2.53.91 in the 800m. Polly commented after the event that she really enjoyed the experience, it was a good weekend and well done to Nick and Ross. I was happy with my overall performance with many SB’s and a few PB’s. I hope to improve on this next year and thank you to all the coaches at the club who have helped us to perform”.

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