THE Merrett brothers from Chippenham have made an explosive start to the new season.

Sixteen-year-old Owen, 13-year-old Adam and rookie Ciaran (11) have all been making their mark in the hammer event as athletes emerge from the Covid-19 lockdown.

Oldest brother Owen, who emerged as one of the brightest young talents in the hammer with bronze medals in the English Schools’ and England Athletics Championships two years ago, was first to lay down a marker for the summer.

Competing at the Lee Valley Open in London and stepping up into the under-20 men’s age group, the 16-year-old Sheldon School student threw a personal best of 63.37m with the 6kg hammer.

Clearly early days for the new campaign but that throw was good enough to put Owen top of the UK Rankings for under-20 men.

“It was alright but not what I really what I was looking for,” said a modest Owen Merrett.

“I was hoping for around 65 metres but I haven’t been working with this new weight for too long so I wasn’t really sure how things would go. It was okay though.”

No doubt motivated by Owen’s example, Adam and Ciaran headed down to Yeovil for the Bill Whistlecroft Spring Track & Throws Open meeting.

Competing in the under-15 boys’ age group, Adam, who is also at Sheldon School, threw a personal best of 35.29m, which puts him second in the UK Rankings this summer.

Last but certainly not least, young Ciaran, who is at St Peter’s Primary School in Chippenham and has been getting coaching help from Owen, had his first serious attempt in the under-13 boys’ hammer and registered a best of 19.12m.

All three are sure to improve further as the season progresses with Owen, in particular, having some big goals.

“I definitely want to win a medal at the English Schools’ Championships and potentially the England Athletics Under 20s as well,” added Owen.

“But I am a first year athlete in the under-20 men age group so no one is expecting too much of me. We’ll see how it goes.”

On the evidence so far, we’ll be hearing a lot more from all the Merrett boys this summer.