Sunday 6th October saw 17 of our talented U11 squad take centre stage at the first of 3 Kent Sportshall Athletics League competitions.
Thanet AC boast a rich taste of success with medals in each of the last 6 years that we have competed so this ‘crew’ were adamant that they were going to help each other to be in a great position, and boy did they not disappoint!!!
Each athlete competing in 2 field events and 3 running events. They all ran, jumped and threw a personal best, or very close to, and kept the parents cheering on the sideline.
In the boys event we had Edward Chidwick (personal best in the speed bounce), Rios Mod’el-Tarjomani (personal best in the speed bounce), Gideon Wells and Nesta Wells.
This is the first time that we have had a boys team for a few years so this was a great achievement in itself!
The boys battled on against a very tough field of teams to finish in a brilliant 10th place.
In the girls event we had our Thanet AC 4 team consisting of Ocean Jones (personal bests in the speed bounce and the javelin), Lexie Jones, Lilly Jones and Harriet Jacobs who, like the boys battled on fiercely to come in a superb 10th place.
Our Thanet AC 3 team competing were Jessica Perry (personal best in the standing long jump), Lexi Shimmen, Tess Longdon (personal best in the speed bounce) and Elsie Bird (personal bests in the speed bounce and standing long jump). These girls were so determined throughout the competition and showed how much much they have improved since starting training only a few weeks ago when they placed a fabulous 9th place.
Our Thanet AC 2 team consisting of Ellie Brady, Isabelle Shuai, Alice Tye (personal best in the speed bounce) and Ivy O’Mara. These girls were so gritty and committed to the team and this was thoroughly proven by finishing an amazing 5th place! These girls are only 16 points behind third place and everything to play for to try and get a medal.
Our Thanet AC 1 team turned out a performance that we didn’t expect. Kitty-Rose Hatton (personal bests in the standing vertical jump and speed bounce), Esmé Gabriel, Chloe Figgins and Daisy Lee (personal best in the speed bounce) didn’t put a foot wrong when taking wins in the speed bounce, 1 lap relay and obstacle relay on there way to a tremendous 2nd place overall. These girls are just 11 points behind 1st place and will be hunting them down at the next event.
We have never had 2 teams finish in the medal positions so this is going to be one of our season goals this time!
What was evident was the camaraderie of the group. It didn’t matter what team they were in, or where they placed. They all just supported each other with high fives and smiles throughout the competition.
We are also extremely lucky with the parents of these athletes too because we heard them all above everyone else cheering everyone on!
Lead coach Darren Hatton said “Every time I come to these U11 events I am surprised by how amazing our Thanet AC group are. Roll on the next event on Sunday 10th November!!”
Darren Hatton
No doubt a great experience for all concerned - I hope everyone enjoyed the day
Julien Lawton - Chair TAC