Press Report: Throwers are on Talent Pathway

TWO West Cheshire Athletic Club teenagers have been named on the England Athletics Youth Talent Programme.
Throwers Kara Stoll and Harriet Wheeler, and their coach, Dave McKay, have been selected to take the first step on the Talent pathway designed to meet the needs of identified, talented English athletes/para athletes aged between 16 and 18 years of age.
Kara is ranked sixth in the UK for her under 17 age group in hammer throwing after achieving a personal best of 49.52m at last month’s Final Fling Competition at Wrexham’s Queensway Stadium.
Kara is the reigning Cheshire Clubs’ and Schools County champion and won the Inter County Schools title at the Mason Trophy in June at Stoke’s Northwood Stadium.
And Harriet is ranked third in the UK for her under 17 age group in javelin after producing a throw of 37.86m in her only javelin competition appearance of the year at last month’s Final Fling Competition following her recovery from an injury.
Last year, her first year in the under 17 age group, saw Harriet represent England in the Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinidad and Tobago where she pocketed a silver medal with a throw of 51.50m, and won the England Athletics Championship title, the Schools International title, as well as Cheshire County Clubs’ and Schools’ titles with Championship Best Performances of 47.21m and 50.05m respectively.
The Youth Talent Programme focuses on developing a dual career for the athlete/para athlete through fulfilling their potential within the sport and also in their education and employability. It is supported by London Marathon Events and TASS.
The programme aims to complement club provision and add value to the athlete/para athlete and coach plan to help develop a broad range of skills, abilities and behaviours needed for senior success, delivered through practical training sessions with like-minded athletes in their event group, performance support sessions and workshops. There is also the opportunity for coaches to access additional qualifications, mentoring and support delivered through the England Athletics Youth Talent Programme coaches.
For those athletes in full-time education the Youth Talent Programme will allow the athlete/para athlete to gain an academic support qualification (Diploma in Sporting Excellence) allowing progression either to further / higher education or to gain employment within a related field.
Those athletes/para athletes not in full-time education will be able to access the Youth Talent Programme content and use skills gained from their training to support their personal development and progression without the qualification.
MICHAEL YOUNG clocked two hours 37 minutes 25 seconds for third position in Sunday’s Snowdonia Marathon.
The West Cheshire AC member finished nine minutes behind winner, Andrew Davies (Maldwyn) who posted 2:28:41, while Michael Kallenberg (Swansea) was third in 2:33:40.
Other West Cheshire AC finishers included Agnieszka Shaw who clocked 4:27:30, and Richard Hunt who posted 5:26:56.
FIXTURES this weekend include the Borders Road Running League at Tattenhall, on Sunday, (11am start).
WEST CHESHIRE AC coaches will be delivering Sportshall Athletics in the Ellesmere Port Sports Village Sportshall between 6-8pm on Fridays from November 1, with the aim of helping youngsters prepare for the Schools Sportshall Athletics fixtures early next year. Please come along and support the sessions.
ENTRIES for all age groups are now open for the UKA Cross Challenge fixture being held at Sefton Park, Liverpool, on Saturday, November 23. The entry link is: https://www.entryhub.co.uk/british-athletics-cross-challenge-liverpool-2024
FORTHCOMING fixtures include the second round of the West Cheshire AC Schools Cross Country Races at Ellesmere Port Sports Village on Saturday, November 9 (10am start); the Manchester Cross Country League, at Kenworthy Woods, on Saturday, November 9; the Ellesmere Port and Halton District High Schools Cross Country Championships, at Ellesmere Port Sports Village on Tuesday, November 12 (1pm start); the Dave Sunderland Inter County Schools Cross Country Cup, at Himley Hall, Dudley, on Saturday, November 16; the North Staffs Cross Country League, at Park Hall, Stoke, on Saturday, November 16; the Conwy Half Marathon on Sunday, November 17; the Preston 5 and 10 Miles Road Races on Sunday, November 17; the UKA Cross Challenge Races, at Sefton Park, Liverpool, on Saturday, November 23; the Oulton Park 5k, 10k, Half Marathon, 20 miles, Marathon, at Timperley, on Sunday, November 24; the West Cheshire AC AGM at the EPSV Trackside Room, on Tuesday, November 26 (8.15pm start); and the North Wales Cross Country League, at Aberystwyth, on Saturday, November 30.
DATES and venues for this season’s Borders Road Running League are: November 3 at Tattenhall; December 8 at Cybi Striders; January 26 at Deestriders; March 16 at Ellesmere Port; April 6 at Buckley Runners; May 7 at either Prestatyn, Chester Tri, or West Cheshire (Presentation Evening).
All races are on Sundays and start at 11am except for the final race which is on a Wednesday evening with a 7pm start and is a relay event.
THIS winter’s Sale Harriers Manchester Indoor Open Meetings will be held at the Regional Athletics Centre, Sportcity, Manchester. M11 4FF, on the following Sundays, December 1 and 22; January 12; February 2; February 16; and March 9. The online entry link is: https://www.saleharriersmanchester.com/index.php/events-fixtures/winter-indoor-series
THE West Cheshire AC AGM will be held in the EPSV Trackside Room on Tuesday 26th November 2024, at 8.15pm.
FURTHER details about West Cheshire Athletic Club can be found at: www.westcheshireac.co.uk

Press Report: Club Celebrates Year of Success

WEST CHESHIRE Athletic Club has celebrated its annual awards presentation evening.
The purple and gold-vested outfit attracted more than 100 members, parents and friends to the successful event held at Cheshire View, Christleton.
Lewis Davey, who won a bronze medal in the men’s 4x400m relay at the Olympic Games in Paris, was the guest speaker.
Emma Holmes was named winner of the women’s cup, and Joseph Morrison was the winner of the men’s cup.
Eleanor Wheeler was presented with the Chris Goodwin Cup by John Goodwin, while Daniel Hooker won the Wright Trophy, and Dennis Wall was named Club Person of the Year.
Emma Nutt, Joy Hickman, and Clare Mallon were presented with first, second and third-placed awards respectively for the women’s Endurance Points Competition, and Michael Young, Mark Davies, and Andrew Clague were the top three men respectively in their Endurance Points Competition.
Saskia Keresturova, Mollie Cooke, and Felicity Snowden won the under 11 girls awards, while Finlay Edwards and Jack McWilliams were presented with the under 11 boys trophies.
Nia Manson, Amelia Snowden and Violet Thorne collected the under 13 girls awards, and Leon Betteridge and Atharva Ganesh won the under 13 boys cups.
Erin Barnard, Arwen Thorne and Ruby Billington were recipients of the under 15 girls awards, and Seb Whiteley and Will Rawson collected the under 15 boys trophies.
Cosette Wearden and Sidney Shorrock won the under 17 ladies awards, while Dan Walker, Lewis Morris and James Rawson secured the under 17 men’s trophies.
Jodi Bemand won the under 20 lady’s award, and Matthew Jones, Alex Rutherford and Fergus Garland collected the under 20 men’s cups.
Emma Nutt and Danielle Erskine won the senior ladies awards, while Will Scott and Alan Littler were the senior men’s winners.
Joy Hickman and Sharon Stoll were the veteran ladies winners, and Neil Hershaw and David McKay secured the veteran men’s awards.
NIA MANSON won the under 13 girls race at the latest round of the North Wales Cross Country League.
Nia posted eight minutes 49 seconds to finish three seconds clear of her nearest rival at Wrexham and was backed-up by Poppy McKenna (fourth in 9:20), Amelia Snowden (fifth in 9:27) and Heidi Wetherall (ninth in 10:25) to win the team event.
Felicity Snowden (third in 6:49), Saskia Keresturova (fourth in 6:49), Hermione Allison (ninth in 7:36) and Isla Lambert (11th in 7:54) completed the under 13 girls race.
Niall Betteridge was fourth in the under 11 boys race with a time of 9:32, ahead of Jack Arnold (fifth in 9:40).
Emilia Pyper was fourth with a time of 11:41 in the under 15 girls race, while Leon Betteridge (sixth in 11:30) and Atharva Ganesh (15th in 13:21) completed the under 13 boys race; Lewis Morris was seventh with 21:40 in the under 17 men’s race; and Dylan Gledhill posted 18:06 for 11th spot in the under 15 boys race.
Claire Harris (first over-35 lady and 14th overall in 23:56), Emma Nutt (eighth senior lady and 25th overall in 25:39), Anest Muller (seventh over-40 lady and 45th overall in 26:56), Joy Hickman (second over-55 lady and 71st overall in 28:39), and Debra Bemand (11th over-50 lady and 120th overall in 31:40) earned West Cheshire AC second team spot in Division Two on the day and second team position after two rounds.
Andrew Clague (first over-55 man and 67th overall in 35:28)), Paul Morrison (21st senior man and 72nd overall in 35:50), Neil Hershaw (second over-60 man and 74th overall in 36:03), Dave Alexander (second over-55 man and 88th overall in 36:56), Jeff Gifford (fifth over-60 man and 103rd overall in 38:09), and Mark Davies (18th over-45 man and 124th overall in 40:40), earned West Cheshire AC sixth team spot in Division Two in the day and fifth team position overall after two rounds.
The next round of the North Wales Cross Country League takes place on Saturday, November 30, at Aberystwyth University.
WEST CHESHIRE AC coaches will be delivering Sportshall Athletics in the Ellesmere Port Sports Village Sportshall between 6-8pm on Fridays from November 1, with the aim of helping youngsters prepare for the Schools Sportshall Athletics fixtures early next year. Please come along and support the sessions.
ENTRIES for all age groups are now open for the UKA Cross Challenge fixture being held at Sefton Park, Liverpool, on Saturday, November 23. The entry link is: https://www.entryhub.co.uk/british-athletics-cross-challenge-liverpool-2024
DATES and venues for this season’s Borders Road Running League are: November 3 at Tattenhall; December 8 at Cybi Striders; January 26 at Deestriders; March 16 at Ellesmere Port; April 6 at Buckley Runners; May 7 at either Prestatyn, Chester Tri, or West Cheshire (Presentation Evening).
All races are on Sundays and start at 11am except for the final race which is on a Wednesday evening with a 7pm start and is a relay event.
THIS winter’s Sale Harriers Manchester Indoor Open Meetings will be held at the Regional Athletics Centre, Sportcity, Manchester. M11 4FF, on the following Sundays, December 1 and 22; January 12; February 2; February 16; and March 9. The online entry link is: https://www.saleharriersmanchester.com/index.php/events-fixtures/winter-indoor-series
THE West Cheshire AC AGM will be held in the EPSV Trackside Room on Tuesday 26th November 2024, at 8.15pm.
> FURTHER details about West Cheshire Athletic Club can be found at: www.westcheshireac.co.uk

Press Report: Nathan gets National Call-up

NATHAN BRASSINGTON is preparing to represent England next month.
The West Cheshire Athletic Club multi-eventer will compete in the Schools International Indoor Pentathlon Championships being held in Glasgow on November 16.
Nathan qualified for his England call-up after achieving fourth position at the English Schools Combined Events Championships held at Stoke’s Northwood Stadium where he scored 4,978 points in the Intermediate Boys Octathlon.
Nathan long jumped a new personal best of 6.39m, spun the discus to a mark of 36.71m, launched the javelin to a new personal best of 37.53m, rounded the 400m in a new personal best time of 51.83 seconds, clocked 14.46 seconds in the 100m hurdles, cleared 1-59m in the high jump, hit a new personal best of 13.74m in the shot put, and posted a new personal best of 4:44.72 in the 1500m to finish 100 points adrift of bronze medallist Luke Pichler, from Northumberland.
TRACY ROGERS celebrated success at Heaton Park in the opening round of the Manchester Area Cross Country League.
Tracy won her over-35 ladies age group in a time of 31:27, ahead of Claire Harris who was third in the same age group with 34:05, while Anna Woolgar was second in her over-50 age category in 37:07, with Angela Tegg (16th over-50 lady in 43:33)
Lucie Truett was sixth in the senior ladies age category in 33:35, ahead of Emma Nutt (19th in 36:42), and Anest Muller finished 12th in her over-40 age group with 39:05.
Tracy, Lucie, Claire and Emma combined to earn West Cheshire AC second spot in the Veteran Ladies team event and third position in the Senior Ladies team competition.
Abby Gamble (fifth in 11:39) and Isla Lambert (38th in 14:11), completed the under 11 girls race.
Nancy Farmer (sixth in 23:57) completed the under 17 ladies event, and Andrew Clague was sixth over-55 man in 36:52, alongside Paul Morrison (75th senior man in 36:01) and Julian Tegg (45th over-50 man in 46:13).
Poppy McKenna (ninth in 11:49), Rose Sheppard (32nd in 12:43), Heidi Wetherall (39th in 13:00) combined to earn seventh team spot in the under 13 girls race.
Lewis Morris (22nd in 21:34) and Noah Woolgar (50th in 26:01) completed the under 17 men’s race.
BRIAN WRIGHT, Wullie McGarrell and Sarah Hibbert, represented West Cheshire AC in Eindhoven at the weekend.
Brian clocked 1:42:23 for the half marathon for second spot in his age category, while Sarah posted 53:09 for the quarter marathon, and Wullie ran the marathon in a new personal best time of 2:56:35 for third place in his age category.
A QUARTET of West Cheshire AC youngsters have earned Bishop Heber a place in the English Schools Cross Country Cup Regional Final taking place at Bromsgrove next month.
Emilia Pyper (second), Harriet Beattie (third), Eleanor Wheeler (fifth), and Beth Manson (19th) combined in an outstanding performance in the Intermediate Girls race at the first round.
ROSEMARY ROGERS was second in her over-70 age group at the Wirral 10k Road Race in New Brighton where she clocked 60:04.
JACK GANNON (1:16:48) was the first of three West Cheshire AC finishers at the Manchester Half Marathon, ahead of David Morris (1:40:13), Clare Mallon (1:42:56), and Kimberly Morris (1:58:59).
THE West Cheshire AC Celebration and Awards Evening will be held at 7pm this Friday, (October 18), at Cheshire View, Plough Lane, Christleton, and the special guest is Lewis Davey who recently returned from the Olympic Games in Paris where he medalled in the 4 x 400m relay.
Tickets for the evening are limited and will be sold on a first come basis. Ticket prices are Β£10 for an adult (Over 18), Β£5 for Under 18s and Β£25 for a family ticket (2 Adults and 2 Under 18s). 
To purchase tickets click on this link: https://wcac.niftyentries.com/West-Cheshire-AC-Celebration-Evening-October-2024
FIXTURES this weekend include the North Wales Cross Country League second round at Ysgol Morgan Llwyd, Wrexham, LL139NG, on Saturday, (October 19).
DATES and venues for this season’s Borders Road Running League are: November 3 at Tattenhall; December 8 at Cybi Striders; January 26 at Deestriders; March 16 at Ellesmere Port; April 6 at Buckley Runners; May 7 at either Prestatyn, Chester Tri, or West Cheshire (Presentation Evening).
All races are on Sundays and start at 11am except for the final race which is on a Wednesday evening with a 7pm start and is a relay event.
THIS winter’s Sale Harriers Manchester Indoor Open Meetings will be held at the Regional Athletics Centre, Sportcity, Manchester. M11 4FF, on the following Sundays, 1st December; 22nd December; 12th January; 2nd February; 16th February; and 9th March. The online entry link is: https://www.saleharriersmanchester.com/index.php/events-fixtures/winter-indoor-series
FURTHER details about West Cheshire Athletic Club can be found at: www.westcheshireac.co.uk

Press Report: Members Busy on Country and Road

by Dennis Wall
A TOTAL of 159 youngsters completed Saturday’s opening round of the West Cheshire Athletic Club Schools Cross Country Race Series held at Ellesmere Port Sports Village.
Nia Manson (Bishop Heber), Sidney Carr (Upton High), Isla Salisbury (Neston High), Atharva Ganesh (Upton High), Saskia Keresturova (Oldfield), Caleb Newman (Acresfield), Sophie McCready (St Josephs), Niall Betteridge (Hoole), Evie Hulse (Our Lady of Pity), Charlie Diggle (Tarporley), Sophia Harley (Hoole), and Ralph Kellard (Sutton Green) all celebrated success in the sunshine.
Nia won the year eight girls race ahead of Christleton’s Amelia Mafuelo, while Sidney secured success in the year eight boys race ahead of Blacon’s William Smallwood.
Isla won the year seven event ahead of runner-up Freya Wilson (Neston) and Amelia Clarke (Ellesmere Port Catholic High) in third spot, while Atharva won the year seven boys race ahead of Christleton’s Samuel Rhodes.
Saskia delivered top spot in the year six girls race ahead of Farndon duo Zara Evans and Mollie Quinton who were second and third respectively, while Caleb won the year six boys race ahead of Upton Heath’s Jack Arnold and Dee Point’s Zachary Senczyszyn who were second and third respectively.
Sophie won the year five girls race ahead of runner-up Abby Gamble (Guilden Sutton) and third placed Evelyn Edwards (Saighton), while Niall claimed top spot in the year five boys race ahead of Max Molloy (Scholar 1) and Hoole’s Logan Blackburn who were second and third respectively.
Evie won the year four girls race ahead of Hoole’s Arianwen Setters and third place Mia Rees (Acresfield), while Charlie won the year four boys race ahead of Farndon’s Henry Glynn and third placed Otto Holmes (Newton).
Sophia won the year three girls race ahead of Farndon pair Jessica Quinton and Hattie Miller who were second and third, while Ralph won the year three boys race ahead of runner-up Will Chapman (Guilden Sutton) and third placed Alfie Waters (Farndon).
The next round is scheduled to be held on Saturday, November 9.
POPPY McKENNA celebrated victory at the opening round of the North Wales Cross Country League held at Eirias Park, Colwyn Bay.
The West Cheshire AC youngster won the under 13 girls race and was backed up by Rose Sheppard (sixth), Florence Hain (seventh), and Heidi Wetherall (10th) to secure top spot in the team event.
Leon Betteridge completed the under 13 boys race in fifth position, while Eleanor Wheeler posted sixth spot in the under 15 girls race, Isla Lambert was 13th in the under 11 girls race, and Dylan Gledhill finished 14th in the under 15 boys race.
CLAIRE HARRIS secured third spot in her over-35 age group and 14th position overall in the senior women’s race at Eirias Park, Colwyn Bay.
Claire was supported by Emma Nutt (11th senior lady and 28th overall), Anest Muller (eighth over-40 and 48th overall), Ellie Robinson (fourth over-50 lady and 56th overall), and Deb Bemand (12th over-50 and 107th overall), to earn West Cheshire third team spot in Division Two.
Neil Hershaw (second over-60 and 59th overall), headed West Cheshire’s men’s team to the line ahead of Paul Morrison (21st senior man and 72nd overall), Andrew Clague (first over-55 man and 73rd overall), Jeff Gifford (fourth over-60 man and 84th overall), and Andy Carter (22nd over-55 man and 141st overall) to earn the club fifth team position in Division Two.Β 
The next North Wales Cross Country League race will be held at Ysgol Morgan Llwyd, Wrexham, LL139NG, on Saturday, October 19.
MICHAEL YOUNG grabbed glory in Sunday’s Chester Metric Marathon.
The West Cheshire AC member reached the Castle Drive finishing line in a winning time of one hour 29 minutes 36 seconds.
Club mates Steve Fernyhough (first over-40 man and fifth overall in 1:41:29) and Keely Smith (first over-40 lady and second lady overall in 1:48:17) also achieved podium places.
Other West Cheshire members in Metric Marathon action included Andrew Barratt (2:07:41), Dave Morris (2:11:03), Mark Davies (2:11:09), Stephen Ball (2:15:39), Neil Field (2:16:58), Peter Keresturova (2:18:13), Angela Tegg (2:22:50), Julian Tegg (2:22:50), Kimberley Morris (2:33:43), and Jeff Lambert (3:01:13).
DAVE SHEARER was West Cheshire’s first finisher in the Chester Marathon, posting 3:04:50, ahead of Paul Cain (3:51:36), Richard Hayes (3:52:52), and Richard Hunt (4:41:25).
THE West Cheshire AC Celebration and Awards Evening will be held at 7pm on Friday, October 18, at Cheshire View, Plough Lane, Christleton, and the special guest is Lewis Davey who recently returned from the Olympic Games in Paris where he medalled in the 4 x 400m relay.
Tickets for the evening are limited and will be sold on a first come basis. Ticket prices are Β£10 for an adult (Over 18), Β£5 for Under 18s and Β£25 for a family ticket (2 Adults and 2 Under 18s).Β 
To purchase tickets click on this link:Β https://wcac.niftyentries.com/West-Cheshire-AC-Celebration-Evening-October-2024
FIXTURES this weekend include the Manchester Area Cross Country League first round at Heaton Park, on Saturday, and the North Staffs Cross Country League second round at Stafford Common, also on Saturday.
DATES and venues for this season’s Borders Road Running League are: November 3 at Tattenhall; December 8 at Cybi Striders; January 26 at Deestriders; March 16 at Ellesmere Port; April 6 at Buckley Runners; May 7 at either Prestatyn, Chester Tri, or West Cheshire (Presentation Evening).
All races are on Sundays and start at 11am except for the final race which is on a Wednesday evening with a 7pm start and is a relay event.
THIS winter’s Sale Harriers Manchester Indoor Open Meetings will be held at the Regional Athletics Centre, Sportcity, Manchester. M11 4FF, on the following Sundays, 8th December; 22nd December; 12th January; 2nd February; 16th February; and 9th March.
FURTHER details about West Cheshire Athletic Club can be found at: www.westcheshireac.co.uk

WCAC Schools Cross-country Series

Well done to all who took part in the opening round of the WCAC Schools Cross-country Series. Provisional results are available near the bottom of the Off-road page of the club website

WCAC Endurance League 2024: Provisional Standings

PROVISIONAL results are out for the endurance league that ran from January 1st to September 30th. As things stand, winners are Emma Nutt and Michael Young. Joy Hickman and Clare Mallon finished 2nd and 3rd in the women’s competition, with Mark Davies and Andrew Clague racing to the same positions in the men’s competition. See the Races page for full tables – please can any queries be addressed to [email protected] ASAP.

FINAL top 3s will receive their awards at the WCAC Presentation Evening, on Friday 18 October 18th at Cheshire View, Plough Lane, Christleton – get your tickets here!

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