Wirral's independent local news website
Warriors Pentathlon and Athletic Club really showed the benefits to athletes of a multi-disciplinary approach to sport last weekend.
Splitting their teams across three locations in Warrington, Birmingham and Cheltenham, they made their mark on the road, on the track and in the swimming pool.
First up on Saturday morning was the U15 Boys National 5k championships in Sutton Park, Birmingham. With the race start just after 11am, the team were on the road at 8am, travelling with lead coach Sarah Kearney to take on athletes from across the country.
The team of Oberon Kearney, Jamie Barnes, and Noel Ford had a fantastic run, with Obe winning individual silver, backed up by Jamie in 4th and Noel in 6th. Between them they were clear winners as National Champions, beating one of the oldest and largest clubs in the country, Tipton Harriers, into second place.
Four hours later on the bright blue track of Victoria Park, Warrington, the 1500m and steeplechase girls showed that they too rank amongst the best in the country.
First Issy and Eve Beddow took 1st and 2nd in the U13 girls 1500m, and in the process went 2nd and 4th on the National rankings, despite having only recently turned 11.
Then it was the turn of the bravest track athletes of them all, the steeplechasers. Running in what is widely regarded as the very hardest event, the three Warriors Meg Hoshiko, and twins Sarah and Evie Smith took a clean sweep of the podium places, and Meg also went 2nd in the UK rankings in her debut race, which bodes well for the future.
Not stopping to rest, other members of the squad travelled to Cheltenham on Saturday, to take part in the European Biathle qualifying races at the Sandford Park Lido.
Biathle is a continuous swimming and running event which demands high levels of fitness. For the Warriors club, it was the first time competing in the event, and all the athletes produced excellent top 20 performances.
Lead Biathle coach Nic Rowley of the NW Biathle Hub was on hand with tips and advice, and that support paid off when Jasmine Rogan finished 4th overall to achieve automatic qualification for the Great Britain team.
She will be competing in Erding, Germany on 27 and 28 June in the GB U11 squad against the best in Europe. Hopefully just a taste of future success for Jasmine, and the first GB vest for this successful new club, Warriors Pentathlon and Athletic.
Next up for the Warriors is the National laser shooting final in Bath on 22 April, and the first round of the English Mountain and Fell Championships on 23 April in the Peak District.
Any athletes who are excited about trying a wide range of sports should contact Ronan Kearney at ronan@runwirral.uk
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