Oxfordshire Track & Field League

As the extended football season took its toll, Oxford AC boys fielded a weakened team, but nevertheless managed once again to produce a host of remarkable performances. For the second week running the U13s lacked depth, gaining only two first places (Ben Daniels and Christopher Wood, discus A and B strings), but together with Harry Peach and Nirusham Parameswaran in the sprints and throws, and Isaac Kenchington with a promising 3rd place in the 1200m, battled bravely and cheerfully to keep Oxford in the points.  The U15s were a different story, with 7 first places and 6 second places and no fewer than 12 PBs. Pride of place was shared by the pairing of James O’Callaghan and Max Tavinor, with A and B string victories in the 400m, and the multi-talented Matthew Gain on his first outing of the season winning a tough 200m and his first high jump contest. For the first time in several seasons Oxford has unearthed two specialist throwers in Tom Anstice and Tomas Napiorkowski who, when they hit their stride, will make a formidable pairing at this level. The u17 men again dominated their rivals, with sprinters Gift McLaren, Tom Downs and Mark Warland winning A and B string 100m and 200m sprints and securing a dominant relay victory for the second week running. Between them they also managed 3 PBs, Gift shaving one tenth of a second off both his 100m and 200m times, and Mark knocking 4 tenths of a second off his 100m PB. In the field events the u17s had to be content with 5 second places, the best among them being Andrew Busby’s 1.65m high jump and Mark’s 28.93 discus throw. In the end this was enough to secure second place overall behind Radley, but Oxford have begun well and can face the tougher challenges ahead with confidence. 
With a turnout of 20 U13's we had a strong team. The 100m team of Simi Fajemisin and Alice Byles won their strings convincingly. In the 200m Alice Hopkins ran a PB of 31.70 and Jessica Long, at her first competition, took 2nd in the B sting.
U13's field events had a fabulous day in all events but a special mention to Danielle Garden who not only annihilated the opposition in the javelin but threw an amazing PB of 20.72.
A big thank you to all the U15's & U17's who competed today.  Many had competed the day before in high temperatures but despite this turned out with smiles on their faces.  Well done to Alice Finch who ran a great 800m and Amy Busby  for an amazing PB in the long jump of 4.61.
An ankle injury forced Emily Carstairs to retire so well done to all the U17's who rallied round.
Despite the miserable weather  team spirit shone through!