A number of talented athletes from Leigh Harriers Throws Squad have made exceptional and memorable achievements throughout the 2022 season. Travelling around the country from meeting to meeting gaining medals, podium places, through to entry standards to International level competitions. The Championship season kicked off with the Greater Manchester Country Championships in May. The throw squad gained three Gold medals with Jessica Higgins throwing 34.18m in the U15 girls Hammer along with Alani Dumbuya in the U15 girls Shot throwing 11.38m and Lewis Forster in the U20 Men’s Javelin throwing 53.96m breaking the 30-year-old club record by nearly 2 meters.
Next came the County Schools, Scarlett Moss-Turner threw for Cheshire in the U17 Ladies Hammer and won with 45.14m securing her entry for the English Schools along with Jessica Higgins, Alani Dumbuya and Lewis Forster, in the Greater Manchester Schools, taking wins in their events. Jessica throwing 37.74m in the Hammer, Alani 11.61m in the Shot and Lewis throwing 51.11m in the Javelin, all earning their place in the English Schools. July came, and it was time for the 91st English Schools Championships held in Manchester, all four athletes knew they had to be in top form to have any chance against the best of the best in the Country. The Championships started off with two amazing Bronze medals, one for Scarlett in the U17 Ladies Hammer throwing a personal best and club record of 50.48m and Alani also breaking the club record with a massive 12.06m in the Shot. Up next was Lewis in the U20 Men’s Javelin, Lewis knew he would have to throw a big PB to even get into the final, that moment came in the third round throw extending his PB and the club record to a huge throw of 56.64m and securing 5th place overall. Then came Jessica’s turn in the U15 girls Hammer. Jessica also had a lot of work to do against the other girls, knowing she would also have to throw well to get into the final, and she did by throwing 36.28m finishing 7th overall.
Next up in the Championship calendar was the English National Age Group Championships in Bedford. Lewis had to really push himself again. Up against the big throwers, he came 9th overall just missing out of the final by a couple of centimetres, when even throwing close to his personal best with 56.25m. At the other end of the stadium Jessica was settling into her throws in the Hammer, improving round by round up against tough competition yet again. The first task was to make the final to secure a further 3 trails. She achieved this with style, throwing a new personal best of 37.87m placing her 7th overall.
Close to the end of the season Scarlett and Lewis were chosen to represent England in International competitions. Scarlett finished off in the School Games National Finals in Loughborough. Once again it was a tough competition, against best of the best in the UK, pushing themselves to the limits after a long season. Scarlett battled through after a couple of falls in the circle and secured a 8th place with a throw of 45.14m. Lewis finished off in Swansea representing Team England in the Welsh International Championships, where Teams from England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Island faced off against each other. Lewis had a shaky start to the competition having two foul throws putting himself under pressure, but luckily pulled it back together in the last rounds throwing close to his personal best with 56.08m, securing a Bronze medal for Team England.
The four talented throwers have achieved so much this year and are on track to even greater success in 2023. Hard work and dedication pays off and you all should be proud of yourselves, as all of us at Leigh are proud of you.
We wish them all the best of luck for the future.