10:00am Thursday 9th September 2010
MORE than 100 athletes aged seven to 19 took part in the swansong to the highly-successful Marlborough and District Junior Athletics club (MADJA) season at Marlborough College.
The club came seventh out of 19 teams in the Wessex League and fourth out of nine in the NATYAL league.
It also came first in the Super Eights, a tournament featuring teams from around Wiltshire.
Sunday’s event featured intra-club tournaments for juniors (U11s) and seniors (U13s+), an awards ceremony for performances throughout the season and a lunch for all athletes and officials.
In the senior tournament, the age groups were mixed and athletes split into six teams. They competed in the 100m, long jump, 800m and Vortex throw.
Josh’s Giants, captained by Josh Eades, emerged victorious, with Emily’s Exceptions second and Rachel’s Rambos third. Chris Claydon was the top boy, Callum Rea second and Eades third.
Among the girls, Amy Cooper was first, Rachel Sykes second and Morgan Gascoigne third.
The U11 tournament saw the competitors split into five teams and compete in four disciplines: 75m sprint, long jump, 600m and Vortex throw. The winning team was Lightning, with Dynamite second and Super Heroes just pipped to third.
Jacob Smith came first among the boys, with Lucas Arkwright second and Gregor Rogan-Rea third. Molly Ingman was the top girl, Harriet Hanscomb-Davies second and Katie McQue third.
After the competitions, MADJA president Richard Cooper paid tribute to a successful season and, with Marlborough deputy mayor Alexander Kirk-Wilson, presented awards to athletes who had performed well over the year. The overall athlete of the year was Brad Hill, 14, from Devizes School, whose scintillating season finished with him being the second-fastest hurdler in his age group in the country.
“He is a lad with a great future in the sport,” said Cooper.
The trophy for services to the club went to Chris Claydon. There were awards for boys and girls in each age group – either for being the best athlete or for their contribution throughout the season.
They went to: Alex Davies (U13B), Ashlen Sowerby (U13G), Hannah Murray (U15G), Jeremy Amiss (U15B), Ben Davies (U17B) and Rachel Sykes (U17G).
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