Another mature performance from Daniel Slater
The Under 15 Liverpool Pembroke Sefton athlete was at Bedford for the England Championships for many an intimidating prospect. He had, of course, experienced a succession of outstanding performances at 1500m but here he was stepping up to 3000m. With a highly successful Triathlon background, including a recent second spot in an Inter-Area match representing England, this was a distance he was comfortable with. A somewhat crowded field of 22 runners did not deter him and he immediately settled into the lead with the predictable `waiters’ in attendance. When the burst came Dan was ready and was able to match everybody but the talented Wrexham athlete Matthew Willis who got home ahead of him in 9.08.4 to Dan`s 9.10.18. Nevertheless a superb silver medal with the added bonus of a new club record shattering by 15 seconds a time that had stood since 1977. Another fine tribute to the collaboration forged with coach John McCarten. Also at Bedford Under 17 Morgan Greaves-Thomas dipped out in the semi final of the 200m but had recorded a terrific 22.72 in the heats.
The end of the track and field season witnesses athletes trying to go out in a blaze of glory at open meetings. The Mid-Lancs League medals meeting at Blackpool attracted a number of these aspirants. Once again coach Dave McComb`s high jumpers were prolific. Picking up gold were Senior Billy Williams(1.81m), U15 Kai Finch(1.63m) a week after a splendid 1.65m, U13 Owen Southern(1.50m) and U15 Jade Murphy(1.60m), a silver went to U13 Sadie McNulty(1.35m) and a bronze to U15 Lily McGuire(1.40m). For the sprinters U17 Ed Latimer took 200m(23.4) and 400m(51.8) gold together with a silver at 100m(11.5). Ethan Prothero(U13) also was dominant in the 100m with 12.5 while U15 Robert Ward collected a double bronze with 100m(12.3) and 200m(25.8). There were firsts for long jumper Erin Birchall (U13) on 4.33m and senior triple jumper Dominic O`Hanlon(11.04m) plus second in the Long Jump(5.43m) while Matt Low(U17) pocketed a silver in the Long Jump (10.03) and Evelyn Smalley(U17) a third, also in the Long of 4.33m. Evergreen Dave Brown went home with two silvers in the Discus(31.20m) and Javelin39.10m).
At the Princess Park 5K run Veteran Mark Wynne had won in 17.11 with Robbie Wood (an older veteran) 12th in 20.00 and John Dobie (even older again) 39th in 22.06
Charles Gains
Dan Slater silver medal 3,000m at England Athletics Under 15s Championships
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