By: Precious Miracle Kargbo Snr
England’s next generation of athletics talent delivered a record-breaking performance at the fourth edition of the Pickering Memorial International, held in Loughborough, with 24 athletes including five debutants representing the nation on home soil.
The annual competition is designed to give young athletes valuable international experience while providing a platform to chase qualification marks for upcoming European and World championships. This year’s meet once again lived up to its reputation, producing six personal bests, multiple qualifiers, and a haul of medals for the host nation.
England’s squad included 10 athletes who had already secured qualification standards for the European U18 and World U20 Championships this summer. Among the standout performers were discus thrower Moyo Stumpenhusen and javelin thrower Ned Scott, both ranked second in the European U18 rankings in their respective events. Also in form were Jabez Berry and Harriet Court, who finished fourth and sixth at last year’s European U20 Championships in the hammer and javelin.
On the day, England’s throwers dominated. Elkie Baker produced a breakthrough 44.45m in the U18 discus to hit the European qualifying mark for the first time, while Beth Pendlebury extended her run of form with a third consecutive PB of 43.92m in the same event.
“I felt like I didn’t manage to catch the wind on too many throws, but I did come out with a massive PB which is a European qualifying standard and I’m so ecstatically happy with that,” Baker said after her performance.
Owen Boon marked his England debut in style with 60.47m PB in the javelin, while fellow debutant Tegan Brown added over a metre to her hammer PB, throwing 58.88m to win a high-quality U18 contest.
“It went well. I got a PB in the first round which felt amazing… I’ve proved to myself that I can do more – I just need to get it out there,” Brown said.
The shot also yielded two PBs. Lawson Capes reached 17.45m in the U20 shot, while Ellis Thomas added 40cm to her best to throw 16.45m, securing another European U18 standard and claiming the overall Pickering Memorial trophy.
“I got a massive new PB and the European U18 standard for the third time now, which is great for showing my consistency,” Thomas said.
England finished the meet with 10 winners, nine second-place finishes and two thirds. Four athletes achieved European U18 qualifying marks, while Alani Dumbuya threw a World U20 Championship standard in the shot put.
Beyond the performances, the event also raised over £1,000 for the Ron Pickering Memorial Fund and Personal Best Foundation a record total for the charities that support young British athletes.
SOURCE: Athletic.com