Kent Indoor Athletics Championships

Event dates

03-Mar-2007 - Kent Indoor Athletic Championships Sutton Arena Carlshalton

High Jump Squad Win Kent Medals

The 3rd and 4th of March saw the Kent Indoor championships at the Sutton Arena in Carshalton. There were many athletes from Invicta at the competition with some excellent results. Amongst these were Katie Hamilton, Matthew Smiley, Callum Barling-Jeffery and Hannah Ridge. Except for Callum this was the first competition of the 2007 season and a chance to see how their winter strength and conditioning training had contributed to their overall fitness and ability. Was all that stamina work, running round the track on the cold and wet winter nights worth it? When their legs, arms, abs and various other parts of their bodies that they previously were unaware about were screaming and burning in pain from the rigorous circuit, medicine ball and core stability sessions were they going to now reap the benefit?... Well I think the answer to that was a great big yes.

Katie had a particularly exiting competition that it concluded with a Jump off. Both of the athletes had clear jumps to 1.50 and 3 fails at 1.55. On their 4th attempt at 1.55 Katie's opponent was first to jump and she cleared the bar with what seemed little effort. Katie set herself for the challenge and she too cleared the bar with some to spare. The bar was raised to 1.57 which would be a new PB for Katie, her previous being the 1.55 she had just cleared. Unfortunately for her opponent who again has to jump first, she failed the height, which left Katie open to take the Gold medal. Which to everyone's delight (most of all Katie's) she did impressively, with a good clear jump and plenty of fresh air between her and the bar. Well done Katie.

Matthew also Jumped very consistently in his competition and cleared all his heights from 1.70 to 1.85 (his PB) first time. Matthew made an excellent attempt at 1.90 but unfortunately just clipped it each time but nevertheless achieve silver medal position.

Similarly, Callum once again had good consistent jumps right up to his PB of 1.70. If the next height of 1.75 was daunting to him at all he didn't show it. He remained cool calm and collected which resulted in success. He then had the opportunity to attempt 1.80 which he did again with a good athletic attitude. Unfortunately it wasn't to be on this particular day. But once again another invicta athlete took home a medal. A silver for his ever growing collection of medals.

Callum also competed in the long jump competition on the Sunday and although he was didn't win a medal this time he increased his pb from 5.26 to 5.58 another good start for the coming season and a reward for all the gruelling winter training.

Hannah, although not winning any medals certainly made her team and coach proud of her achievements. On Saturday she attained 4th place in the high jump with 1.35, 4th place in the 60m hurdles and made a very good effort in the 60m sprints were there was tough competition. Hannah, like Callum and Matthew is a good multi event athlete who takes part in several events and I'm sure is going to shine this season.

Well done to all of these athletes and I think these results are a good representation of what hard work and commitment can produce whatever level you are at. Well done to, to all the other athletes that took part.