Our young athletes team got off to a cracking start in their National Young Athletes League match at Lee Valley with a convincing win, scoring their highest score of 594 points in this league. Herne Hill were followed in second place by St Albans on 505 points and Woodford Green & Essex Ladies on 413.
The highlight was a new club record of 46.1 in the U15 boys 4 x 100m relay with the team of Fawaaz Okunole, Jermaine Graham, Frederick Afrifa & Zanson Plummer who despite the strong wind, tore around the track to break the record which had stood since 1980.
There were double sprint wins from Zanson Plummer (U15 boys), Tshon Carnegie (U17 mens), Vanessa La Fon (U17 women) & Brandon Wallace (U13 boys) whilst mini marathon winner Paul Burgess won the U13 boys 1500m & high jump. Rebekah Williams won the U17 womens shot and javelin and there was a hat trick of wins from Breagha Campbell in the U13 girls 800m, high jump and long jump.
The spirit in the team was emphasized by the athletes of the match. Fawaaz Okunole in the boys and Catorina McShorley in the girls who both fell in their races, but then got up and overtook athletes, nearly winning both their races.
Throughout the afternoon athletes in red and black vests – many making their debuts for the club – performed with great determination, showing lots of potential in the quest for valuable points to maintain our lead. It was an excellent start to the league campaign and Herne Hill’s youngsters will now be looking forward to their next match at Croydon on 22nd May.