Crawley AC’s Munroe Ritchie steps up to the challenge in style as seniors win

Crawley AC senior men and women gained a convincing win in their second match in the Southern Athletics League Division 2 at the Julie Rose Stadium in Ashford, Kent.
Munroe Ritchie ENGSUS00120130828073710Munroe Ritchie ENGSUS00120130828073710
Munroe Ritchie ENGSUS00120130828073710

The team was left a little short due to exam revision, but gaps in the team were covered well and the Crawley team romped to another win.

Track events commenced with the 400 metre hurdles and there were wins for Holly Talbut-Smith, George Grainger (seasons best 55.3) and Joel Buckett (personal best 55.8). Joel’s time moved him up to 10th in the UK and came with an added bonus of an invite to the Loughborough International the next day.

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The team dominated in the sprints also. With Jason Hussain doing the double winning both the 100 & 200 metres in 11.0 and 22.0. Stefan Mitchell won the B string in 11.1. Taiye Musa won the ladies 100 and 200 metres, and Stephanie Shackel won the B string 200 metres. Nathan Samuwiya, Craig Cox, Paige Clarke and Libby Moody all finished first in their 400 metre races.

Other sporting commitments had meant that the senior hammer thrower from Crawley AC Matt Lasis was unable to compete at Ashford so team manager Dave Freeman asked Under 17 athlete Munroe Ritchie to step up to the plate. Ritchie did not disappoint seeing off adult throwers from the South of England with a personal best at 7.26kg hammer of 49.96m.

GCSE exam student Ritchie was throwing a 7.26kg hammer used by senior athletes, heavier than the 5kg hammer he normally throws with in junior competition.

Ritchie said: “My coach Karl Lasis has been training me with the heavier weights to help develop my strength and technique.

“But I was really pleased with winning the competition.”

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Freeman said: “I train with Munroe so I know what he’s capable of throwing but it was a big ask for Munroe to throw against adults.

“He’s shown the maturity that his coach and team managers have come to expect and he did the team proud winning his event.”

Crawley’s international multi-eventers Jo Rowland and Richard Reeks had a quiet afternoon restricting their day to four events each and both won the sprint hurdles, shot, discus and javelin.

Both athletes travel to Tenerife next weekend in their quest to compete in this year’s Commonwealth Games.

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Other notable performances came from Leigh Walker and Justin Tarrant with ins in the pole vault; George Grainger first in the B string 110 metre hurdles; Claire Stokes B string 800m 2:40.0; Becky Owen 100m Hurdles B string 17.7 and high jump 1.50m and Beth Crocker B string shot with 9.35.

The day finished with a clean sweep in both the men’s and women’s 4 x 100 metre and 4 x 400 metre relays.

Match result:

1.Crawley 209; 2 Ashford 181; 3.Worthing 152.5; 4 St Mary’s Richmond 135.5

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