Blackheath & Bromley’s under 20 womens team came within six points of being crowned European Champions when they finished in third place in the European Champions Club Cup for Juniors A final at Brno in the Czech Republic.

It was an outstanding effort which saw them break a UK record; set three meeting records; win seven events; and provide the track athlete of the match. Some set or equalled personal bests; others came close to their bests; and all battled hard to get the most points possible for the team. It was so close that it was the 4x400 at the end of the meeting that confirmed the final placings.

The UK record came in the 4x100 metres where the quartet of Vivien Olatunji, Shannon Hylton, Cheriece Hylton and Dina Asher Smith timed 46.28 to run the fastest ever time by a UK Junior Womens Club team, breaking the Club’s own record set last year. All four are coached by John Blackie.

Three of these athletes also won individual events. As European Junior Champion, and already a Senior International, it was no surprise to see Dina first in the 200 metres. Her time of 23.38 was wind assisted but her effort was adjudged the best track performance of the day and was a meeting record.

Like Dina, Shannon has had a long but successful season which has included competing at the World Youth Championships, yet she too set a meeting record when she won the 100 metres in 11.71. Cheriece, another who has had a superb season, had to watch her twin sister’s race through the call room window before taking to the track to secure victory in the 400 metres in 55.97. She and Dina then joined Rachel Dickens and Leah Everson as the Club won the 4x400 in 3.52.97.

Samantha Brown finished her career in the Junior age group by winning the 400 hurdles in 64.09, a fine effort in the blustery conditions. Likewise Jahisha Thomas struck gold in the long jump with a leap of 5.92. She was also second in the 100 metre hurdles in a personal best of 14.14. It was silver too for Kerri Davison in the triple jump with a distance of 12.04.

The aforementioned Leah Everson won bronze in the 800 metres, just outside her best with 2.15.04; and Amber Reed was also third in the 3000 metres steeplechase in a personal best of 12.46.41.

Yemisi Sofolarin also performed better than ever before in the Hammer and she was not far off her best in finishing 5th in the javelin.

Helena Coleman equalled her best of 3.20 in finishing in 4th place in the pole vault. Gemma Brown was another to miss out on a medal by a place as she was 4th in the discus with 38.72 and she was also 7th in the shot.

Charlotte Rhule (1500), Anna Myers (3000), and Alex Wheelwright (high jump) also scored important points for the team.

Despite all these fine efforts, the Club had to settle for third place behind winners AK Olympic, Brno and second placed Fenerbache from Turkey. It was a remarkable achievement, not just for the team, but also for team manager Tim Soutar and those who helped and supported at the final, the coaches, and all the families and Club members who have supported the squad in so many ways throughout the year.

Remarkably only three of the team are to old for this age group next year, but unfortunately the Club have not qualified to represent the UK in next years final, bringing to an end a run of eight consecutive years of representing the nation. They gave a fitting team performance on which to bow out and they will look to become national champions next year and return to the competition in 2015.

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