Small Hastings squad produces excellent display

Hastings Athletic Club's competitors at the Southern Athletics League meeting in Eltham

The small Hastings AC party clubbed together to achieve a splendid second place result at the Division Three South East meeting in Eltham on Saturday.

Although there were some good individual displays, it was a real team effort. Even when athletes weren’t running, jumping and throwing, they were helping out with officiating as well in a bid to gain as many points as possible for the club.

One of the highlights for the men’s team was the sheer dogged determination of Alex Grant, who although caught late on in the 1,500m, never gave up for the whole race and fully deserved his second place.

Some of Hastings Athletic Club's competitors at the Youth Development League match in Lewes

Cameron Cooper typified the ‘can do’ attitude of the team by taking part in a number of throwing events and performing very well in some which he hadn’t even trained for.

Ladies’ team manager Elise Lovell competed in nine events - a huge effort even by her standards - and won all of them bar the discus.

A number of second and third places from the rest of the ladies helped boost the points tally, and Alice Milea is worth a mention for coming third in the 100m and 200m, as well as helping the relay the relay team gain a place.

The result continues Hastings AC’s terrific start to the season following comprehensive victories in their opening two matches, both of which were at the club’s Ark William Parker Academy base.

Hastings AC’s young guns, meanwhile, served up their best performance of the UK Youth Development League season so far at the latest meeting in Lewes on Sunday, despite also being low on numbers.

Jonas Judah, who has only recently turned 11, ran a brilliant time of 4:56 - beating his previous best by five seconds in windy conditions - to come second in the 1,500m.

Harmony Cooper and Maya Ramnarine were victorious in good, tactical races, while Erica Body came second in a big PB and Shannon Hopkins-Parry also bettered her previous best time by a large margin.

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