Olympian athletes excel at Ulster Schools Championships

A fantastic few days was had recently at the Antrim Forum Track and the Mary Peters track, Belfast, as Olympian YAC athletes excelled representing their schools at the Ulster Track and Field Championships.

Olympians talented young athletes pitted their athletic abilities against the best the Provence has to offer for the chance to win an Ulster Schools medal and qualification to the All Ireland Schools Championships.

Aoife McGeehin (Loreto Letterkenny), was in powerful form in the Intermediate girls Javelin, throwing a fantastic Personal Best (PB) of 41.08m, just mere centimetres off the Ulster Schools record to emphatically win the event and claim a well deserved Gold medal and mantle of Ulster Schools Champion. She also claimed a brilliant Bronze medal in the Discus event, securing All Ireland qualification for both events.

Maeve McGeehin (Loreto Letterkenny), was not to be outdone by her sister and also demonstrated that throwing prowess certainly runs in the family, as she too claimed a Gold medal and mantle of Ulster Schools Champion in the Junior Girls Javelin. She too later claimed a brilliant Bronze medal in the Hammer throw, and qualification to the All Ireland Schools Championships in both events.

Bonnie Gillard (Foyle College) anchored a fantastic Senior Girls 4x100m quartet to glory as they ran away from the field to claim an amazing Gold medal. Sam Donnell and Tei Chen (Foyle College) showed that team work makes the dream work as they helped their Minor Boys team to an excellent Silver medal in 4x100m relay. Sam also claimed a well deserved Bronze medal in the individual 100m.

Ciara McDaid (Loreto Letterkenny) showed great strength and technical ability as she powered her way to superb Silver medal in the Junior Girls Shot Putt, as well as a fantastic Bronze medal in the Discus. Martin Corbett (Loreto Milford) was in lightning form as he claimed a Bronze medal in the Junior Boys 200m.

Ashton Forrester (St Eunans Letterkenny) was unlucky to come in the dreaded 4th place in the Junior Boys Triple Jump, but this was a fantastic performance considering he has another year at this age group next year. Kellie Cartie was 6th in the Intermediate Girls Triple Jump, but she too has another year at this age group. Certainly this augers well for both athletes in the future.

Charlie McHugh, senior boys, threw PBs in the Shot Putt and Discus to place 5th in both his events. Eoghan O Donnell also threw a PB in the senior boys javelin to place 8th. Malachy Mullan (Foyle College) was also 8th in the Intermediate Boys Triple Jump.

The success continued as Olympian AC's super six club athletes represented their schools recently at the All Ireland Schools Championships. After having qualified through from District Schools then Ulster Schools they competed at National level as the top athletes in their events and age groups across the country.

*Sam Donnell & Tei Chen alongside their school team mates at Foyle College had a fantastic performance in the Minor Boys 4x100m Relay coming home with silver medals in a brilliant time of 49.69.

*In the Intermediate Girls javelin Aoife Mc Geehin (representing Loreto Letterkenny) was in superb form and took the bronze with a excellent throw of 37.89m. In her discus event she also finished 5th place with a throw of 28.70m.

* Bonnie Gillard (representing Foyle College) and her senior girls 4x100m school team mates had a nail biting finish and just placed out of the medals in 4th with the top 5 teams clocking 50.14, 50.51, 50.63, *50.81 and 50.94.

*Yesterday evening at Day 1, Aoifes younger sister Meave Mc Geehin was in action in the Junior Girls Javelin in which she placed 5th with a throw of 31.08m (just 20cm off the bronze medal) and had a 6th place finish in the Hammer with a throw of 35.05m. Ciara Mc Daid (also representing Loreto Letterkenny) also had a great All Ireland experience moving up an age group to compete in the Junior Girls Discus finishing 8th with a throw of 20.65m. Then in her own Minor Girls age group finished 5th in the shot just shy of the 10m mark with put of 9.98m.

Well done to all on such fantastic performances at national level. Well done to all our athletes who represented their respective schools magnificently and with as much heart as they do when they wear the Olympian blue vest. The great training is certainly paying off.

Training - We are insured to cater for any and all abilities from 7 years of age right up to senior and masters level who wish to train, keep fit, have fun, and/or compete at a local to national/ international standard. Training continues on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 7pm at Templemore Sports Complex Track. For further details please message Michelle/ Karen ODonnell on Facebook on Olympian AC.

PICTURED BELOW: Bonnie Gillard (Foyle College), anchoring the Senior Girls 4x100m team to Gold.

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