by Perri Williams
It was another record-breaking day at the National Juvenile Track and Field Championships in Tullamore. The first of three u13 to u19 championship days, hosted the short hurdles, 600/800m and steeplechase events along with a several field events. In total five championship records fell as performances in Irish track and field continue to rise.
No event brought as much drama and excitement as the u17 boy’s hammer. After his record-breaking performance in the Tailteann Games, all eyes were focused on Thomas Williams (Shercock). Williams did not disappoint as he continued his record-breaking performance, demolishing the previous hammer record, which stood since 2011 by almost seven meters. In doing so, all six of his throws exceeded the previous distance. His second-round throw of 72.91m will stand as the new record. Williams is currently number one in the world for the u18 hammer.
Enya Silkena (Ratoath) also set a new championship record as she threw 47.40 in the girls u18 javelin. Silkena like Williams will contest the European u18 Championships in Slovakia later this month. The Ratoath AC athlete will contest the javelin and heptathlon.
A third championship record tumbled in the boys u18 Steeplechase. Matei Ursachi (Clonliffe Harriers) usurped the previous record by a whopping eight seconds to take the gold in 9.33. In the boys u13 Shot Lavr Malejevs obliterated the 2019 shot putt record set by Cian Crampton when he threw a personal best of 15.75 in his penultimate round. Towards the end of the days competitions the final record to tumble was the u15 800m where Freya Renton (Westport) knocked a full second off the existing time set by Emma Moore back in 2018.
Elsewhere there were plenty of exciting races and events. The girls u18 800m saw two Euro bound runner pitted against each other. Pia Langton (KCH) and Jennifer O’Leary (Nenagh). Langton led from the gun but was pushed all the way by O’Leary and Ennis AC’s Gemma Galvin. Crossing the finishing line it was Langton who took gold in 2.10. In their final year of juvenile competition Claire Crowley and Nicole Dinan made it a 1-2 for the Leevale duo who have had plenty of success throughout their juvenile years. European u18 bound Caoimhe Gallen (Lifford Strabane) was impressive in the hammer. Throwing 59.73m in the u18 hammer, she was just one meter shy of her older sister Adrienne’s 60.90 championship record.
There was great triple jumping from Max Clover (Bandon) and Eoin Malik (St Brendan’s) in the u16 and 17 triple jumps respectfully. While Caolan McFaddan (Cranford) and Frank Buchann (St Michaels) won the u18 and u19 800m races.
Day 2 and Day 3 of the championships will be held on the 21st and 28th July.