28 June 2008

Memories of the wrath of the British weather in 2007 were cast aside today as the action in the field took centre stage at Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium. Fans were treated to some of Britain’s best in action, captivated by athletes competing across a range of field events, from Shot Put, seated Shot, Discus to High Jump and Long Jump.

The Womens Shot Put final produced some of the most improved performances amongst competing athletes so far, with personal bests for many of the U20 and Senior women on show. Joanna Duncan (Woodford Green and Essex Ladies) produced a season best of 16.37 to finish ahead of the pack.

Having secured the Olympic “A” Standard previously, Philippa Roles’ (Swansea Harriers) assured performance in the Elite Womens Discus saw her win comfortably with a throw of 58.23m. A personal best for Emma Carpenter (Windsor, Slough and Eton Harriers) of 56.87m ensured that she shared some of the limelight.

Spectators enjoyed a fierce competition in the Elite Mens Discus competition between Emeke Udechuku (Woodford Green and Essex Ladies) and Brett Morse (Cardiff AAC). Morse’s throw of 58.83m was not enough to dispose a solid performance from Udechuku, winning with a throw of 60.12m. Curtis Griffith-Parker (Cambridge Harriers) who will join Morse in Poland for the World Junior Championships came in fourth with a throw of 56.89m

Sophie Hine (Rugby and Northampton) produced a sparkling display of high jumping in the Womens Elite competition, clearing a height of 1.80m to claim the top spot.

Mary Devlin (Abbey AC) took the spoils with a personal best of 5.88m in the Elite Womens Long Jump category. The jump was also a seasons best for the Abbey AC athlete.

Samual Scott (Wales FDSW) produced a sterling throw in the Seated Shot competition, with a personal and seasons best of 12.28m (U20m).

Carl Myerscough (Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde AC) produced a throw of 19.94m in the Mens Shot Put final, seeing him clinch first position.

With Samson Oni withdrawing late yesterday from the Elite High Jump event, the field was open for Tom Parsons (Birchfield Harriers) to take 1^st place, with a height of 2.24m, as he continues his quest for the as yet elusive Olympic “A” standard of 2.30m.

The Elite Mens Long Jump also produced an exciting climax, with Jonathan Moore coming through to take first position with a jump of 7.63m.

Full results of Day one’s action and highlight can be seen at the Fest 2008 section of UKA.net.

Fans will be looking forward to more of the same tomorrow, where the hunt for Olympic Qualification marks and the pursuit for UK Challenge points moves to the Pole Vault, Javelin, Hammer and Triple Jump.