National junior record and BUCS success for local athletes:
Rising stars Ellen McCartney (City of Lisburn AC / Jim Alexander), Megan Marrs (City of Lisburn AC / Jerzy Maciukiewicz), Jack Magee (University of Ulster / Laura Kerr) and Mollie Courtney (Cheltenham AC / David Warner), excelled as local athletes impressed at track and field meetings in Ireland, England and Portugal this weekend (Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th May 2018).
Ellen set a new AAI National Under 20 women’s Pole Vault record whilst competing at the Meeting Vitor Tavares in Faro, Portugal. The City of Lisburn AC athlete recorded a new personal best of 3.80m, which was enough to secure 3rd place against top opposition. This new personal best improved on the existing National Under 20 outdoor record of 3.77m, which dates back to 2003.
Meanwhile, at the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) Championships in England, British Champion Megan Marrs struck gold in the 100m hurdles.
Megan recorded 13.58 (-2.1) for 1st place and was followed across the line by fellow Northern Ireland lady Mollie Courtney who clocked 13.95 for 3rd place.
In the Javelin, Jack Magee picked up a bronze medal after landing a 62.05m effort for 3rd place. BUCS debutant Gareth Crawford (Lifford Strabane AC / David Turner) reached 58.00m (5th place) in the same competition.
Ballymena & Antrim AC’s Craig Newell (Ian Neely) was in fine form in his opening 400m races of the year. After coming through his heat in 49.38, Craig recorded 48.45 for 4th place in the stacked semi-final, which included Commonwealth Games athlete Cameron Chalmers.
Closer to home, at the Ton Le Gaoithe Sprints Meeting in Waterford, Ireland, City of Derry AC’s Naomi Morgan (Tom Reynolds) impressed with a personal best over the 100m hurdles. The Spartan athlete crossed the line in 14.97 (1.7) for 4th place. Naomi also ran 27.14 (2.7) for 200m.
Note: Article compiled for use by Athletics NI.
