Youngsters show future is bright for Mansfield Harriers

Harriers were in outstanding form at Derby and, for the third year in a row, the girls’ team scored most points in their section over the course of the season.

Leading the way for the U15 girls were Katie Kemp, who broke the club’s hammer record for her age group and finished second in the 200m, and the fast-improving Kelly Seaman, who won the long jump and the B 300m with personal bests and was second in the 100m.

Jessica Lake and Kelsey Pearce, who are bound for the English Schools Championships, also had a strong day. Lake won the hurdles and finished second in the 300m with a new PB and third in the long jump, while Pearce was third in the javelin, despite twisting her ankle, and second in the discus.

Ellie Sheppard, making her comeback after breaking her arm, ran third in the 100m in a new PB and second in the B 200m, while Holly-May Spencer was an excellent second in the hurdles and Sophie Brown won the B shot. Bryony Evans scored a B double in the hammer and javelin, while Kemp, Sheppard, Seaman and Lake dominated the relay.

For the U13 girls, Tammy Smith was third in the shot and bagged a superb PB in the long jump. Second or third places and/or PBs were also achieved by Isabelle Burlington, Olivia Barrett, Tia Jones and Amelia Brown, as well as by Alistair Homewood and Jake Orr for the U13 boys. Smith, Burlington, Jones and Brown also won their relay.