Fine performances by Woodford athletes at Loughborough and Watford

8:34am Wednesday 21st May 2008

ATHLETICS

THE Loughborough International event drew a number of fine performances from Woodford Green Athletic Club with Essex Ladies athletes.

Teams from British universities, England, Scotland, Wales and GB juniors took part in the annual event, hosted by Loughborough University.

Woodford's best performance came from Jeanette Kwakye, opening her season over 200m, and from Emeka Udechuku in the discus. There was also a personal best over 800m for Tara Bird.

World indoor 60m silver medalist Kwakye, representing her old university, Loughborough, clocked 23.37secs into a stiff headwin to win the 200m. She was just ahead of club mate Joice Maduaka, representing England, who clocked 24.04secs .

In the 800m, representing British Universities, Bird recorded a PB time of 2mins 05.70secs to finish fourth in an eventful 800m.

In the match relays, Maduaka anchored England to victory in the 4x100m event while in the 4x400m relay Bird swapped allegiances and ran the third leg for England's victorious team, recording a split of 54.1secs.

In the men's match, Bath student Christian North, representing British Universities, showed good form in the pole vault. He cleared a season's best of 5.20m to place second in the competition.

In the discus, Udechuku produced a solid series to win with 60.47m and competed as a guest in the shot where he reached a good 18.05m.

Soon after a second knee operation, Andy Frost was some below his own high standards but won the hammer with a throw of 66.15m.

Francis Smith, representing Scotland, placed third over 400mH in 53.38 secs.

In the sprint hurdles, Sarah Claxton won the guest event in 13.49secs, while jump Stephane Aneto placed third with 12.85m in the triple jump.

- Meanwhile, Woodford athletes were also in action at the BMC meeting at Watford.

Chris Reynolds was fastest over 800m placing fourth in the Grand Prix race in 1min 49.78secs.

Ben Phillips set a new PB of 2min 01.69secs In the women's 800m Katherine Foy recorded 2mins 15.92secs for second in the C race.

In the 1500m, there were thre PBs set - 16-year-old Ronnie Sparke with 3mins 54.42secs, Alex Cornwell with 3mins 58.91secs and Gavin Lewis with 4mins 02.58secs.

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