High Peak AC athletes star for Derbyshire at Regional Sportshall Athletics Championships
The annual Regional Sportshall Athletics Championships were held at Grantham Meres Leisure Centre - with several High Peak AC athletes involved.
This is an indoor combined events athletics competition for 9 to 14 year olds with the counties of Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire sending their best young athletes to compete in a range of running, jumping and throwing events.
The Derbyshire squad of about 60 plus athletes contained six High Peak AC athletes who all performed amazingly on the day, helping secure a hatful of Derbyshire team points for their efforts. While individual performances are recognised, the main importance of these championships is points for the county team to try and secure a place in the national Sportshall finals to be held in Stoke in April.
The High Peak athletes consisted of Georgie Riley and Lily Heywood competing with the Under 13 Girls team, George Murcott with the Under 13 Boys, Aaron Partington and Charlie Wardle in the Under 15 Boys and finally Sophie Turner-Hart competing for the Under 15 Girls team.
Being selected for the regional championships is an honour in itself, and these athletes have worked tirelessly throughout the season to reach this stage.
The team of Derbyshire Under 15 boys which included Aaron and Charlie of High Peak AC were runners up on the day behind Leicestershire and Rutland, with both contributing greatly with 2nd positions in Shot for Aaron and Charlie in the track events.
Sophie was High Peak ACs sole representative in the Derbyshire Under 15 Girls team. She excelled across all the track and field events she competed in coming 3rd overall in the individual athletes category, ahead of nearly 30 other girls. Her contributions over four events, coming second in each of the shot put, high jump and track events, helped the team to first place and thereby secured a position for the Under 15s team in the UK national finals in April.
George was the only high peak athlete in the Derbyshire under 13 Boys team, his performances in obstacle relay and triple jump, helped the Under 13 boys secure runners up overall. His stand out performance was securing second as part of the obstacle relay team. A very strong and confident run.
High Peak ACs two girls in the Under 13 Girls, Lily and Georgie competed in multiple events including track/ relay events and triple jump. Lily secured a first and second in her two track events, while Georgie's stand out moments were coming first in both her relay races. These successes also contributed to a Derbyshire team first place and progression to the UK finals and competing on the national stage.
From the Leisure Centre stands Matt, parent of Lily Heywood (Under 13 girls) and mascot of High Peak AC, was beside himself with excitement at his daughters and the other HPAC athletes achievements, saying: "It really was a day to remember, the High Peak AC members gave their all, and I for one am very proud of each and everyone of them. It's my birthday and seeing these young athletes compete so well and with a great team spirit was the best present I could have."
High Peak AC would also like to thank High Peak Comps in Dove Holes and Lhoist Ltd (Quarry) near Buxton for their very generous donations to support the hire of a minibus and driver to transport the High Peak AC athletes and their enthusiastic parents/ supporters to the competition.