WINCHESTER Throwers broke eight club records and five athletes produced performances ranking them in the top 10 of the UK in one of their most successful seasons ever. A further 11 performances ranked in the UK top 20.

Hammer has become a real strength for the club this season – Sam Clifton has led the way with a new U20M Club record of 49.07m and finished the season ranked 12th in the UK. Erin McBriar smashed the U15 and U17 Girls records with a throw of 36.89m finishing the season ranked ninth in the UK (in her first season in the event and her junior year of the age group). This augurs well for next season when she will be pushing for national honours.

Jasmine Gordon threw 29.23m to go third on the U17W all-time list. Tamsin Hoult broke the U20 and Senior Women’s club records putting four metres on the latter with a best throw of 28.95m.

Charlie Elford Pond has also developed massively this season extending the U15 boys club record by over six metres and finished ranked number four in the UK with a best throw of 46.30m. Charlie also competed once with the 5kg weight and threw a second best ever U17 performance for a Winchester athlete of 38.60m.

In discus, Erin McBriar broke the club U15 girls record with a throw of 26.30m and finished the season ranked 16th in the UK.

Abi McBriar in her first season in the event threw 19.55m to finish seventh in the UK in the U13 girls age group, not far behind was Beth Mbala who threw 16.05m to place 13th overall. Charlie Elford Pond threw 33.90m to go second on the U15B club all-time list and rank 14th in the UK. Amelia Gordon threw 26.58m to go third on the WADAC U17 all-time list. Multi-event athlete Oliver Thatcher threw 41.66m to go third on the WADAC U20M all-time list and finished the season ranked 13th in that age group. Sam Nicholson finished the season ranked 13th in the UK in the U13B with Ethan Imhofe close behind him with a UK ranking of 19.

In Javelin Liv Busher continued her great form from 2019 moving up to the U17 age group. Liv threw a new WADAC club record of 42.91m and finished the season ranked 4th in the UK. Liv will also be pushing for national honours next season. Emily Serridge threw a new lifetime best of 34.63m to go second on the Winchester Senior Women’s all-time list. Abi McBriar threw 23.85m to go third on the WADAC all time list for U13 girls in her junior year and ended up ranked 16th in the UK for the event. Alex Miles went third on the WADAC U20 all-time list with a best throw of 46.85m and finished the season ranked 18th in the UK. Sam Nicholson threw over 30m for the first time and finished the season ranked seventh in the UK for U13B.

In Shot putt Ethan Imhofe threw 8.38m to go third on the WADAC U13b all-time list and ended the season ranked 16th in the UK. Oliver Thatcher also went third on the WADAC U20M with a new PB of 12.50m.

Mention should also go to some of the other up and coming throwers who have improved significantly this season. Freddie Kaine (Discus), Harry Jones (Javelin), Jess Marinus (Javelin) and Jas Jones (Shot and Javelin) will all be ones to watch for next season.

Martin McBriar, Head Coach, said: "This difficult year would not have been anywhere near as successful without the fantastic attitude of our young throwers, the support of their parents and also the great coaches we have at the club – in particular Jeremy Clifton and Heather Sheffield."

"WADAC is one the largest athletics club in the country and always welcomes new athletes. The club offers opportunities for athletes of all ages, abilities and across the full range of athletic events. Please check out the club website to learn more about what we do and to make contact for any membership enquiries."