WGwEL athletes in US action, plus other news - updated

Competing at the Mt Sac Relays in Walnut, California, Mark Dry placed 3rd as he went over 73m in three of his six efforts, the best being a new Woodford Club record and London 2012 Olympic Games "B" standard of 74.37m. In the 800m Tara Bird was in the "B" race of a very high standard meeting, but proved to be a comfortable winner in her first outdoor 800m of the seaon in 2m03.52 secs. In the 1500m, Jess Sparke placed 7th in a good quality race and recorded 4m16.73 secs. 400m specialist Graham Hedman opened his season with a 200m outing and placed 7th in the "C" race with 21.82 secs (+1.8). At the Gainsville meeting in Florida, Daegu World Championship 4th placer and Istanbul World Indoor silver medalist Tiffany Porter won over 100m H with a very quick, but windy 12.47 secs (+3.0), having won her heat with 12.61 secs (+2.5).

Also competing in the US and representing Birmingham University in a metting at Ithaca, NY, Alex Cornwell was a winner over 3000m with 8m26.03 secs. Closer to home, in Hull, Andy Frost was another hammer thrower showing good early season form as he placed 2nd to Alex Smith with 71.36m. A Woodford team that was short of women athletes competed in the new Southern Athletics League.at Cambridge. Notable performances included three sprint wins from Omololu Abiodun with times of 10.9 secs, 21.8 secs and 50.7 secs. In the jumps there were victories for Ben Challenger HJ 2.00m, Mitchell Jarvis, LJ 6.80m and Keith Newton , TJ 13.20m , In the throws, Peter Clarke won the hammer with 55,57m, Chris Linque the discus with 49.67 secs, and Hollie Redman the women's discus with 40.61m. Our 5000m men Bertie Powell and James Nunn won the A and B strings with 15mins 30.7secs and 15mins 49.4secs respectively.