ATHLETICS: FOUR West Cheshire AC members warmed up for county call-ups last weekend.
Gareth Preston, James Callaghan, Lauren Hunt and Rachel Stoakley had pleasing performances for the Chester and Ellesmere Port club at the National Young Athletes Track and Field League Division Northern One West third round, at Long-ford Park Stadium, Stretford, Manchester.
All four have received news of selection to represent Cheshire in the English Schools' Track and Field Championships at Gateshead on July 9 and 10.
And they helped push West Cheshire AC to second spot overall in the four-team competition. Gareth, a pupil at Queen's Park High, Chester, blasted his way to an impressive 100m and 200m Under 15 boys' sprint double after posting times of 12.4 and 25.5 seconds respectively, before grabbing a 5.65m success in the long jump competition and then anchoring the relay team of Oliver Ward, Matthew Kenny and Andrew Stothart to victory.
James, of Ellesmere Port Catholic High, delivered a hat-trick of successes from the U15 boys' throwing circle.
He powered the hammer to a mark of 26.04m; spun the discus to a distance of 31.56m, and putted the shot to 11.18m.
Lauren, a pupil at Upton High, celebrated a double triumph from the U17 ladies' throws after catapulting the discus to a winning mark of 33.04m, and hitting the shot to a distance of 9.26m.
And Upton High colleague Rachel tasted success in the U15 girls' sprint relay alongside Daisy Flynn-Piercy, Shona Valentine and Sian Kelman.
Rachel had finished second in her 100m sprint earlier in the day after posting a time of 13.3 seconds, and she agreed to round the 800m for important team points as her club aimed to score a match success.
Other highlights from West Cheshire AC's day in Manchester included a sprint double for Tom Price in the U17 boys' age group, where he was joined by Chris Rushton, Martin Jones, and Sam Bateson, who won the high jump competition.
Tom Lowndes joined the squad of U15 relay runners by adding good points from the 3,000m, 400m and long jump.
Nick Rushton, Matthew Pratt, Jeremy Stothart, Michael Lyness and Lewis Dodson grabbed West Cheshire vital points in the U13 boys' competition.
Laura Mullock, Helen Clowes, Catriona Boyd, Amanda Scott, Charlotte Roach and Tricia Jackson provided important backup for Lauren Hunt in the U17 age group.
Emily Done, Rebecca Grimes, Kerry Riley and Stephanie Owens played vital roles in the U15 age group alongside their quartet of relay runners.
And the U13 girls' contingent of Sophie Stanton, Kitty Green, Rosa Palmeri, Gemma Mayled and Danielle Bentley also contributed important West Cheshire AC team points in the Stretford sunshine. Fixtures this weekend include the third round of the Northern Track and Field League on Sunday. Further details from Dan Gilroy on 01829 740513. Entries are now being accepted for the West Cheshire AC 5k Road Race at Cheshire County Sports Club, Upton, Chester, on Friday, July 9 (7.15pm start). Further details from Richard Batterham, Ranelagh, School Lane, Guilden Sutton, Chester CH3 7ET. Any West Cheshire AC member wanting to compete in the Cheshire County AA Track Relay Championships at Macclesfield on Sunday, July 11 should contact Dennis Wall. The sultry conditions didn't hinder the 13 Tattenhall Runners who contested the difficult 4.2-miles Coedpoeth multi-terrain race with more than 600 feet of ascent.
The club boasted a record 10 trophies, including five firsts, led by Ian Lancaster in sixth place in 26.7 to take the veteran men's Over 45 award.
Steve Hammond was 10th in 27:21 (second vet 45), Justin Realff 15th in 28:00, Matt Treby 28:37, Sarah Hammond 21st in 29:02, second lady and first lady veteran 35, Nick Holmes 25th in 30:11 (third vet 45), Greg Berti 26th in 30:34 (third vet 40). Francis McHale 28th in 31:50 (first vet 55), Caroline Howard 38th in 34:18 (third in category), Derek Clague 47th in 37:08, Tessa Swaine 48th in 37:21 (first in category), Jane Woodley 55th in 40:26 (second in category) and Lesley Clague 57th in 42:14 and first in category.
