Stevenage and North Herts AC piled up the medals at the county championships. Their athletes collected a huge number of medals at the Herts County Track and Field Championships for all ages held over the past two weekends at Stevenage (Bank Holiday Monday

Stevenage and North Herts AC piled up the medals at the county championships.

Their athletes collected a huge number of medals at the Herts County Track and Field Championships for all ages held over the past two weekends at Stevenage (Bank Holiday Monday) and Watford (Sunday).

Leading the way at Watford, three athletes, all coached by Beth Harris, won their pole vault events, each of them setting new championship best performances.

Louise Shortland (senior) and Daniel Gardner (under-15) both vaulted 3.40m and Anne Rees (under-17) cleared 3.20m which was also a personal best result.

Daniel had another win in the triple jump (11.21m) and a second place (long jump, 5.20m). Anne also won the high jump (1.50m).

Other double event winners were Daniel Poulton (senior) with a great personal best in the 800m (1:53.58) and 1500m (4:04.1), and Jasmine Forde (senior) with 4:49.1 (1500m), 61.05 (400m) plus a massive best to come second in the 800m (2:17.61).

Under-13 girl Shannon Rapacchi won both the shot and javelin events (6.05m and 19.27m) and under-20 Bunmi Awokoya won both the 100m (12.71), shot put (10.56m) and was second in the 200m (25.44).

Joylyn Saunders-Mullins (veteran 50 plus) collected three firsts in the 100m, 200m and shot, closely followed by Jan Gates (veteran 40 plus) with two firsts (200m and discus). Three more veterans were placed first - Jeremy Rackham (40 plus 800m plus second long jump and third 100m and 1500m), Len Allbrighton (60 plus shot) and Mick Shortland (50 plus javelin).

Athletes with single wins were Josh Moss (under-17 1500m, plus second in 800m 1:59.95), Ton Tomu (senior 400m), Laurie Pirie (senior high jump), Neil McLellan (senior javelin), Jake Exton (under-15 javelin), Vishnal Saroye (under-13 high jump plus third long jump), Shelley McLellan (senior shot), Joanne Mansell (under-20 800m), Chloe Vernon-Hamilton (under-17 300m hurdles plus second in 400m), Beccy Knapp (under-17 hammer), and Alex Gates (under-15 300m plus third in long jump).

Silver medals were won by Adam Searle (senior 1500m plus third 800m 1:59.41), Barry Mainstone (senior triple jump), Aaron Hull (senior javelin), Lewis Keeble (under-17 100m and 400m), Connor Winters (under-17 pole vault), Paul Spicer (under-15 80m hurdles), Laurence Levy (under-15 high jump, shot, and hammer), Billy Vernon-Hamilton (under-15 javelin plus two thirds in 100m and 200m), David Spicer (under-13 75m hurdles), Frances Gross (under-17 hammer plus third discus), Alice Rackham (under-15 high jump), and Ayo Awokoya (under-13 shot), along with veteran men Stephen Pickett, Paul Keeble, Patrick David, Mick Shortland, and Steve Feely competing in various events.

Bronze medals went to Cameron Webb, Sam Poulton (two), Tan Chowdhury, David Pickett (two), and Sophie Keeble.

The club entered 23 relay teams at Stevenage, and won nine golds, the same number as their great rivals from Herts Phoenix AC, to share the relay trophy.

Winning teams were senior men, veteran men, under-17 men, under-15 boys, under-13 boys, and under-20 women in the 4x100m event.

The 4x400m winning teams were the senior men, under-17 men, and under-15 boys.