The Loreto Letterkenny senior girls 4x300m team of Katie Elliott, Maria Fleming, Sophie Ellis and Emma Bonar have smashed the Ulster schools record.
The Ulster schools track and field intermediate and senior championships took place in Mary Peter’s track in Belfast on Saturday.
The glorious sunshine wasn’t the only thing glistening for the Loreto Letterkenny girls as they came away with a huge medal haul as well as all important qualifications for the Irish schools at the end of May.
First up was Katie Elliott in the senior girls high jump. Katie was crowned Ulster Champion in this her first year in the senior competition.
At the same time Sarah O’Keeney was competing in the inter girls triple jump. Sarah had a few big jumps with her best of 9.83m coming in the 5th and final round. This was enough for a top 6 position for Sarah.
Kathryn Davison was next up in the inter high jump leaping to a jump of 1.40 m. Kathryn will look forward to competing again on Friday evening in the Ulster pole vault competition in Jordanstown.
At the same time Aoife McGeehin was over at the discus winning her first medal of the day. Bronze in the inter girls discus. Aoife would go on to win the gold medal in the inter javelin with a new pb of 41.08m.
First up on track was Maeve Doherty in the heats of the 100m. Maeve sailed through to the final in what would be a busy day on track for her as she would later run the heat of the 80m hurdles in which she qualified safely for the final. With not much time between the 100m and 80m hurdle finals Maeve decided to concentrate on the hurdles. This proved to be the correct decision as she flew down the track to take the gold medal and be crowned Ulster champion in the 80 m hurdles.
Next on track was Maria Fleming who ran a very tough 400 m race. She did herself and the school proud by finishing in 6th position.
Anya Duffy qualified comfortably for her final of the inter 200m. She ran a very strong race to finish in 6th place in the final. Anya joins Kathryn on Friday evening in the inter girls pole vault in Jordanstown.
Next on track were the duo Leah O’Gara and Iona MacGabhann in the inter girls 2000m walk. The girls were very impressive with Leah taking home the gold medaland Iona the bronze medal.
Emma Bonar was next on track and was a most impressive winner of the senior girls 800m.
Last but not least the Loreto senior girls team of Katie Elliott, Maria Fleming, Sophie Ellis and Emma Bonar were spectacular in winning their 4x300m relay. The stunning time of 2.57.67 blitzed the old record set by Strathearn in 2019.
Thanks were issued to Mrs Claire McGinley and all the parents and supporters who accompanied the girls.
All of the students who medalled have qualified to the All Ireland Championships on the 30th and 31st of May in Tullamore.
Each athlete who places on the top 8 scores points for the school. These will all be totted up after the pole vault competitions are held next Friday and trophies will be awarded to the best placed school in each age group.
