Members of the Elite Sports Programme at the University of Winchester ran five personal best times (PBs) at the British Universities and Colleges Track & Field Indoor Championship held at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield.
Arguably Winchester’s best performance of the championship came from Men’s captain Callum Lorimer who took six seconds off his PB to finish ninth in his 3000m heat in 9 mins 00.09 secs. Callum has improved his 3000m time by almost a minute since joining the Elite Programme.
There was another men’s middle distance PB for Finley-Clements-Foster who was seventh in his heat of the 1500m in 4 mins 31.34 secs. That wasn’t good enough for a place in the semi-final, but Jack Le Tissier came through his heat in the same event before finishing ninth in the semis.
In the 60m Women’s event Maddison O’Gorman ran her fastest ever time, 8.14 secs, to place fourth in her heat, narrowly missing qualification for the next round.
Leah Johnson improved her best 800m time twice at Sheffield, in the first round and the semi-final, but just missed out on a final spot. However, her PB of 2 mins 15.48 secs now puts her in the UK’s all-time top 100 women.
Away from the track Daisy Judson performed magnificently in the High Jump, clearing 1.55m to qualify for the final in a strong field. Sadly, nerves got the better of Daisy in the final where she no heighted.
Elsewhere Ladies Captain Libbi Soper came seventh in her 1500m heat in a season’s best time.
Sprinter James Webb was sixth in his 60m heat, a race marred by two false starts which caused him to dwell in the blocks when they did eventually get away.
Harry Ware was among many athletes falling foul of the new 175m break rule in the 800m and was disqualified for taking two steps on the inside line of his lane. Freya Hampshire was sixth in her heat of the Women’s 800m.
Winchester’s involvement finished on a lighter note with Louis Forster donning the inflatable dinosaur outfit to take part in the mascot race which raised a considerable sum for charity.
The team was supported by Christina Wigley on photo duties and head coach Andy Fisher.
Andy said: “The University of Winchester is increasing its presence in track and field on the national stage as represented by both the number of athletes sent to compete and their performances. The Elite Sport Programme continues to go from strength to strength and we look forward to the outdoor championships in Cardiff in early May.”
Pictured top: The University of Winchester's elite track and field athletes on their way to Sheffield
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