Thanet AC Throwers Steal The Show

Last weekend saw Thanet AC produce a flurry of outstanding performances in the County Championships at the Julie Rose Stadium in Ashford. Our ten strong squad of athletes secured 2 silver medals, 6 bronze medals and 13 personal bests between them to the delight of our many coaches and supporters.

The throwers were the big hitters for the weekend with Amelia Lawton (U20 women) taking a brilliant silver medal in the Hammer (37.31m). Adriana Pepin (U17 girls) added to the medal tally with 2 superb bronze medals in the Hammer (35.69m) and Discus (19.20m PB) and 2 personal bests in the Javelin (23.56m) and Shot Putt (6.96m). Richard Faraday (U17 men) backed this up with a ‘Fab-Four’ performance across all 4 throws with his Javelin (30.44m PB), and second best throws of his life in the Hammer (28.58m), Shot Putt (8.75m) and the Discus (22.06m). Chloe Williams managed to have a break from her top officiating duties to throw the discus in a season’s best of 19.93m.

Thanet AC throwers in action at the County Championships.

(Amelia Lawton: top left, Chloe Williams: top right, Adriana Pepin: bottom left, Richard Faraday: bottom right).

Photos by Lewis Parsons.

Our sprinters came away from the weekend fully ready to go for the rest of the season with personal bests galore. Lewis Parsons (Senior men) ran in the 100m, when only just at the back end of March he suffered yet another hamstring issue, to produce his 3rd quickest time ever of 11.27s. Lewis also ‘changed lanes’ to compete in the discus where he threw a PB of 31.49m to earn a silver medal. Also from the sprints group we had Cameron Berry (U17 men) running a new personal best of 12.09s in the 100m, Imogen Carter (U17 women) running a new personal best of 14.32s in the 100m and Natalia Kolodziejczyk (U20 women) running a new personal best of 14.30s in the 100m.

Lewis Parsons collecting his silver medal while fellow Thanet AC sprinters race to their personal bests.

(Lewis Parsons: left, Natalia Kolodziejczyk: centre, Imogen Carter: right).

Photos by James Bridge.

Our multi-eventers had a super weekend too. With preparation for the upcoming selection for the Regional Schools team Bethany Shimmen-Smith and Gracie Lawton put their best foot forwards. Bethany Securing 2 bronze medals in the 100m hurdles (17.05s PB) and the High Jump (1.55m =PB), but also a personal best in the Javelin (21.31m). Gracie also took away 2 bronze medals in the Javelin (36.08m PB) and High Jump (1.45m =PB), with her second best ever jump in the Long Jump (4.51m).

Multi-Eventers Bethany Shimmen-Smith (left) and Gracie Lawton (right) collecting their High Jump bronze medals.

Photos by Nick Purt.

Coach Paul Weaver said “The fact that our athletes have managed to compete and take away so many personal bests and medals is a huge credit to their dedication and perseverance over the winter and the last few weeks leading up to this event. We couldn’t be prouder of each and every one of them!!”.

"What a fantastic weekend of athletics and in particular, for our Thanet AC athletes. Experience of competition is such a vital part of gaining confidence in your own ability and our athletes were prime examples of this. My thanks to all the coaches, officials and to KCAA for making this event happen. Thanet AC - Be Your Best" - Chair, Julien Lawton.

• Darren Hatton