Since getting back to regular training, thanks to the ending of the school holidays, Wallasey Athletic Club's performances have shown an obvious improvement. Fourth in the youth team race on January 8, second in the Liverpool & District on January 15 and, last week, a host of individual high placings in the Wirral School races in Arrowe Park.
Most of the female team members were competing in the women's inter-county races, but Carole Jenkinson, who had that unfortunate qualifying race, was our representative in the first race of the day. She won convincingly in excellent form, undoubtedly restoring her confidence in herself at the same time.
Three of our members raced in the next event, the junior boys race. A talented newcomer to the club, 13-year-old Peter Landrum, gave us another win in this race, stalwart Stuart Moran finished fourth and the hard-working Gary McEneany finished 20 places lower. Four members of our youths team competed in the inter-boys race and gave us yet another individual victor in Kevin McGee who led from start to finish, but not without some resistance by Rick Hemmings.
Rick lost contact after about three-quarters of the race was over and finished with a sprint duel in second place.
Dave Southern fought bravely to finish sixth and Keith McAlister, in his first outing since recovering from injury managed eighteenth place.
The last race of the day, the senior boys, provided an exciting finish, after a very slow plod of a race, between Chris Wright and Pete Smith. Pete came through from 20 yards down to challenge the lead, but was just 'pipped at the post' by a fast responding Chris who gained the crown by a mere fraction of an inch.
Chris's victory gave us our fourth win of the day, Pete Smith finished second and, in the same race, Tommy Boyd finished sixth.
The first 10 in each of these races will be representing us and Wirral in the Merseyside Schools Races at Sherdley Park, St. Helens on February 5. From the results of this race will be selected the runners to represent Merseyside in the inter-county schools.
Our girls running in the athletic club's inter-counties have also been assured a place in the Wirral team. This means that Wallasey Athletic Club will be providing the following members of the Wirral Schools team: -
Carole Jenkinson, Lynn Jenkinson, Oona Norris, Joanne Macdonald, Peter Landrum, Stuart Moran, Chris Wright, Pete Smith; Tommy Boyd, Kevin McGee, Rick Hemmings and Dave Southern. Truly, a remarkable achievement and a pointer to the need of athletic club training and coaching for those talented runners hidden away in our schools.
All athletes are individuals and will only flourish if given the opportunity to develop as individuals and for that reason those few who find their way into the club always always have that edge over those that don't.
If you are interested in athletics, and willing to work to improve your ability, then we are probably interested in you. Ring 639 0296 for further details.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 29/01/1977
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