Benedict cruises home

8:38am Thursday 3rd July 2008

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BENEDICT Westhenry cruised to victory in the under-15 boys' 1,500m as the Weymouth St Paul's Harriers once again proved their talents at the Wessex Young Athletics League at King's Park, Bournemouth.

For some of the competitors it was their debuts in competitive athletics and everyone rose to the occasion.

Westhenry won the 1,500m in 4mins 40.5secs while Matthew Strudwick shone in the B string shot where his putt of 5.97m enabled him to also finish in first place.

Both Westhenry and Strudwick amassed points in other disciplines as well throughout the day, and their efforts were matched by the boys' under-13s team of Joseph Heffell, Brian Taylor and George Dafter who all scored high in events including 100m, 200m, high jump and long jump.

Dafter's fourth-placed finish in the 1,500m was the best performance from this energetic bunch.

Not to be outdone, the under-13 girls of Abi Strong, Emma Boyall, Emily Stevenson, Emily Kench and Saxon Roy competed well.

Roy came fourth in the A string high jump, Stevenson finished fifth in the A string 200m and fourth in the B string discus while Boyall gained third place in the B string long jump with a season's best of 3.35m, and fifth spot in the B string 200m. Kench was only able to enter the B string high jump where she came third.

As for Strong, she collected the most points for the Harriers with fourth in the shot, fifth in the discus and second in the B string 100m.

In the Quadkids competition for under- 11s, Hannah Westhenry, Charlie Ryan and Lauryn Montrose all gained personal bests in the long jump as well as collecting points for the 75m, 600m and the Howler (a form of javelin for younger athletes).

Luke Strong also set a personal best in the long jump and the 600m but he was particularly pleased with his 12.5secs in the 75m. Toby Manning's best performance came in the form of a 19.72m throw in the howler to go along with fine runs in the 75m and the 600m.

The athletes are now looking forward to the next competition in the Wessex Young Athletes League, which is due to take place on Sunday, July 13 at Andover.