A small contingent of Eastbourne Rovers sprinters have been travelling to improve their times over 60m and 200m. Shania Martlew came within .01 of her best 60m time and showed consistency ,when she ran at Eton clocking 8.15 in her first race and 8.14 in the second.
Senior Bryn Smith had three great runs over 200m in the South of England Indoor champs. After cruising round the heat he changed gear for the semi final to clock 22.0 ,to be sure of a place in the final. His third run of the day saw him finish in a fantastic 5th place and injury free. This prepared him well for the British University championships in Sheffield when he again tackled the 200m. An easy win in the heat saw him then line up against the fastest man in the field. With so many competitors in this event qualifying was hard as it was winners only plus one other. Bryn came 2nd in his semi but just missed out on a final spot but was happy with his times of 22.6 and then 22.04.
To finish his indoor season Bryn changed to the short 60m race at the Sussex Indoor championships where he sailed through his heat to win in 7.09 and then dipped under 7 with 6.95 in the final for the gold medal. Joining him at the championships was training partner Dylan Brudenell who usually tackles the longer sprints but was pleased with his personal best of 7.38 in a very close race in which he crossed the line in 5th place.
In the U15 races it was the turn of Nathan Burge to shine. His clear win in the heat saw him gain a personal best of 7.73 taking him to the final when he left the others in their blocks taking the gold medal. For Stanley Atkins it was his first outing at an indoor competition and he also qualified for the final with a great run of 8.3. Stanley cramped up in the final so had to settle for 4th place in 8.44. Another junior member Josh Webster put away his cross country spikes to sprint to 4th place in the U13 age group in 9.16 and then leapt 3m68 for 7th position in the long jump.
Caitlyn Spencer sailed through her heat for an easy win in 8.39 and bettered her time to 8.33 in the final to grab the silver medal. She was backed up by Zoe Wright who also gained a personal best of 8.68 for a third place in her heat to qualify for the final where she came 5th.
Adam Churchyard has just moved into the U17 age group so had to put a heavier shot than usual so was thrilled to take the gold with 9m20. He also qualified for the final of the 60m with a best time of 7.91.
Cara Maker tested her fitness at a recent Lee Valley Open meeting where she ran a very respectable 13.7 in the 100m and clocked 29.0 in her 200m.
Athletes are now preparing for the outdoor season which geta away at the end of the month with an open meeting at Crawley and races at Eastbourne.
