Rosie Johnson celebrated her first track and field international selection in style. Running in Dublin in the Home Countries Schools International she ran an almost identical 1500m race that had given her the national title two weeks previously. Her great rival, Harriet Knowles-Jones, again forced the pace hoping to run the steam out of the Liverpool Pembroke Sefton star but Rosie stayed patiently in her wake as the other girls faded. With 150m to go she was neck and neck but in the home straight but Rosie powered away to a clear victory in a new personal best of 4.25.11 and, it goes without saying, new club female record. Her next major target will be the England 1500m title in Bedford. With that basic speed and finish the rest will have to reconsider their options.
Fellow-English Schools Champion, Joe Milton, was representing Merseyside in an Inter-Counties match at Hull. This time he tackled the Under 15 200m and was well clear of opposition in an excellent 22.89, taking him to current third ranked best in the country. Morgan Greaves-Thomas (Lancashire), in the same age bracket, ran a sparkling 11.55 100m which similarly disposed of Northern challengers. Evelyn Smalley(U15) collected a silver medal as part of Lancashire`s 4 x 100m team after setting a PB in her 200m heat of 27.18. The only other LPS member at the Costello Stadium was Ben Singleton who finished ninth in the U17 3000m in 9.38.22.
Somewhat indifferent weather faced athletes as LPS played an host at Ormskirk to a Mid-Lancs League match. The throwers had a decent day with U17 Mark Hynd winning the Discus with 36.9m and coach, Dave Brown, replicating this at Senior level with 29.67m. Dave was also well clear in the Javelin with a 37.12m pitch. Senior, Rachel Hutchinson, as busy as ever in the throws section, was particularly delighted to take the Hammer with a highly commendable 38.47m. U15 Ben Harding additionally got in the act winning the Javelin with 36.26m. At U17 Amelia McLaughlin, forsaking her favourite High Jump event, monopolised the Shot with 8.63m. The jumpers too had much to enjoy, Senior Billy Williams again over 1.90m in the High Jump and U13 Kai Finch dominant with 1.45m. One to catch the eye though was Dominic O`Hanlon(U17) who long jumped to an impressive 5.64m.
Sprinter Alex Higham(U17) came away with a victorious 100m time of 11.5 while Morgan Greaves-Thomas(U15), fresh from Hull glory, was similarly dominant at 100m (11.6) and 200m(24.6). Other winners included Morag Molyneux (U15) with a 5.08.9 at 1500m and Lauren Lewis(U13), the latter continuing her impressive sprinting with a 13.5 100m. Corinne Molyneux (U17) took the 1500m with 5.27.6. But the day, as usual, was about countless heroic performances that rattled up points everywhere. It was fitting, therefore, that after a such a well organised meet the host club LPS took both male and female team results.
Charles Gains
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