Team Bath athletes played a significant part in a successful grand launch of the new UK Youth Development League at the weekend.
Several were selected to represent the composite Team Avon squad that is drawn from the Bristol & West, Mendip, North Somerset and Yate & District clubs and was set up two years ago to contest the National Junior League for under-20s athletes.
But UK Athletics chiefs decided it was time for a re-structuring of the young athletes set-up – albeit not universally welcomed – and under-20s and 17s now compete together in Midland Premier 1 of the UK YDL Upper Age Group League.
That proved a big step up in class but Team Avon more than held their own, actually leading the competition at one stage before settling for a solid third place of the six clubs.
"To finish third and not be that far off the top two was not bad at all especially as we had a few gaps on Sunday," said Sandra Woodman, who was one of the team managers.
"There was a terrific team spirit and all the athletes seemed to enjoy themselves, including those who had never been before."
Official results had still to be confirmed but local athletes certainly made a positive contribution both on the track and in the field.
Team Bath's Ellie-J Webb followed up her personal best of 42.20m in the Avon League the previous week with another throw close to 40 metres to win the under-17 women's hammer, while fellow 15-year-old Sam Bolton did the double in the under-17s men's shot and discus.
Katie Phillips also took part in the under-20 women's discus and hammer, while Josh Hay threw in the latter.
Toby Pentreath won the under-17s long and triple jump, the latter with a PB of 13.40m.
Amelia Hempleman-Adams returned to action after her injury problems of 2012 to win the high jump and Alice Reynolds came third in the under- 17 women's high jump with 1.54m.
Hannah Grubb and Clare Dyer dominated the pole vault, although were disappointed that they couldn't go higher than 3.20m due to strong winds which forced the event to be abandoned.
On the track, Loren Bleaken sharpened up with wins over 200m (25.6secs) and 400m (55.8) and then produced a great relay performance to take the 4x400m squad from third to first on the final leg.
Alex Carter was the runner-up in the 1,500m and George Chapman won the under-17 men's 800m in 2:00. Katie Geddes, 17, triumphed in the under-20 women's 400m thanks to a storming finish.
Abi Davies took victory in the 100m.
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