West Norfolk Athletic Club’s Under-17 women produced a string of determined performances as they proudly represented the club at the Eastern Athletics League Final.
The finals brought together the top eight clubs from across the region at Bury St Edmunds after a long summer season of qualifying matches.
West Norfolk’s U17 women – the club’s only squad to reach the finals – rose to the challenge, battling hard against some of the strongest teams in East Anglia.
The event was eventually won by City of Norwich AC with 98 points, edging Ipswich Harriers into second on 95.
Yarmouth AC completed the podium on 80, while West Norfolk finished seventh with 54, a creditable tally for a small squad of just eight athletes competing against much larger teams.
Despite missing a Dereham athlete through unavailability and having to cover a wide spread of disciplines, the squad’s grit and versatility shone through.
Conditions were breezy and unpredictable, with athletes noting how one side of the track felt cold while the other was unexpectedly warm, though thankfully the rain stayed away to allow for a full day of competition.
Rebecca Johnson led the way, storming to victory in the 80m hurdles in 12.0 seconds in her first race over the barriers since returning from injury.
She also clocked a personal best of 12.7 seconds in the 100m A-string for third place, before making her debut in the discus, throwing 15.25m for sixth.
In the field, Isla Jackson jumped a superb 10.32m for second place in the triple jump, while also running 14.0 seconds in the 100m B-string for fifth.
Meanwhile, Anya Faithorn impressed with a personal best of 24.69m to take second in the javelin, adding fourth in the Shot Put (7.86m) to cap a strong day.
Middle-distance runner Evie Clayton clocked 2:44.3 for seventh in the 800m, while Olivia Allen set a new best of 3.33m in the long jump (eighth) and ran 5:53.3 in the 1500m for another eighth-place finish.
Eva Townshend completed the 200m A-string in 30.2 seconds (eighth), with Eloise Edridge running 35.0 seconds in the B-string (seventh) before recording 54.2 seconds in the 300m (eighth).
In the high jump, Malou Lewis cleared 1.15m for fifth but was sadly forced to withdraw from the rest of her events due to injury. The 4x100m relay team of Townshend, Edridge, Johnson and Faithorn placed seventh in 58.8 seconds.
Though up against bigger squads, West Norfolk’s U17 women once again showed that determination and team spirit can deliver results.
As athletes stepped into unfamiliar events to fill gaps, the group’s adaptability and character shone throughout the day.
The club also praised the tireless work of team manager Sharon Ross, whose efforts, alongside those of officials, volunteers, parents and athletes, made the team’s success possible.
