A number of Olympian Youth & Athletics Club athletes were on the road again last weekend and competed with great heart.
On Saturday, two up and coming juvenile athletes compete at the All Ireland Juvenile Track & Field Championships at Tullamore, Co Offaly.
Gartan lad Boyd Russell competed in his first individual All-Ireland Championships. The Ulster silver medalist got through to the final of the U12 600m finishing up a commendable 11th position overall in a brilliant new PB time of 1.47.26.
Boyd has continuously improved at this distance taking 5secs off his PB since the start of the year over the 600m distance.
Another first time competitor at this level was Donal Hughes competing in the Long Jump where he finished a commendable 12th position in a new PB of 5.24m.
Saturday also seen Olympian Y&AC not-so-young Master athletes Karen Wilson and local Glenswilly coach Martin O’Donnell competing at the other end of the country at the Mary Peters Track, Belfast in the Northern Ireland & Ulster Master Track & Field Championships.
It was a successful competition with the brother and sister pairing going home with a total of 8 medals between them.
Karen fresh from her All Ireland Masters T&F Championships haul of 3 medals in the W35 age group she contested the following events on the day picking up four gold medals in the 100m (13.73secs), 200m (28.08secs), 400m (62.29secs) and Javelin (throwing new PB of 23.18m).
Just back from injury but not to be out done Martin retained his sprint crown winning the M40 100m in a swift SB 12.29secs and showing his versatility he picked up 3 silvers in the Discus, Shot Putt in SB throw of 8.08m & in 56lb throw 3.65m SB.
Next up will see juvenile athletes travelling down to compete at Day3 of the All Ireland Juvenile Track & Field Championships at Tullamore this Sunday 16th.
All at Olympian Y&AC would like to take this opportunity to wish good luck to Henry Bose (U17 250m Hurdles), Sean Mc Ginley (U15 1500m) and Tiernan Boyle (U19 1500m) who have all got through to the championships.