Michael McArdle goes to the top of the class

Jul 12 2010 The Journal

NORTHUMBERLAND’S Michael McArdle was the region’s only winner at this weekend’s Aviva English Schools Track and Field Championships, which were held at Alexander Stadium in Birmingham.

McArdle won the junior boys’ long jump, which took place on Friday, the Royal Grammar School pupil leaping a personal-best distance of 6.35m with a wind reading of zero.

Northumberland were unlucky not to gain another gold when Emma Pringle, second in 2009, led after the fifth round of the senior girls’ triple jump – adding one centimetre to her previous best performance in the event.

In the final round, Abby-Leigh Edmundson from Greater Manchester leapt a further 10cms to take gold, but there was evidence this winning jump was a foul.

Durham, meanwhile, gained three minor medals during the championships.

Michael Wilson finished a close-up third in the junior 800m and Kate Avery gained silver in the senior girls’ 1500m.

Cameron Boyek smashed his personal best to finish third in the Intermediate 1500m behind a record-breaking run of Charlie Grice of Sussex.

Cleveland’s Ashleigh Wood took silver for the second year running, in the senior girls’ 100m hurdles. Wood did, however, clock a personal best time.

Grace Rodgers of Loftus, competing for North Yorkshire, finished third in the intermediate girls’ 800m.

Middlesbrough Harrier Ben Stephenson gained a bronze medal, also running for North Yorkshire, in the senior boys’ relay race.

Abbie Hetherington of Cumbria finished second in the junior girls’ 1500m.

Cumbria had a good opening day, with Natasha Wilson winning the junior girls’ javelin.

Nick Miller finished second in the senior hammer and Katy Barnard – as she did in 2009 – took bronze in the intermediate girls’ hammer.

Emily Cummings narrowly missed a medal, clearing the same height as the winner in the junior girls’ high jump but finishing fourth on countback.

l STACEY Smith of Gateshead won the main 800m event at Saturday’s British Milers Club Grand Prix at Solihull.

In doing so, Smith took over a second off her previous best time.

Emma Raven of Chester-le-Street took over four seconds off her old figures to win the B 1500m.

LES VENMORE