Congratulations to Paul Beacall, aged 14, who learned last week that he had gained selection to represent Merseyside in the 100 metres in the English Schools Championships, which are being held during July.
The qualifying standard for the 100 metres was set at 12.0 seconds.
Paul not only gained this time at a Northern Young Athletes League at Kirkby, but also ran 11.8 seconds the previous week at an Inter-Schools meeting.
Paul became a member of Wallasey Athletic Club about 12 months ago, and has gone from strength to strength during that time.
He is currently the Merseyside Boy's Champion at the 100 metres, and has well justified his selection for the English Schools.
Congratulations also to Francesca Phillips a member of Wallasey Athletic Club for over four years, who has also been selected for the English Schools in the 400 metre hurdles. For Fran, who has represented Merseyside in the English schools regularly over the last few years, this will be her final run for the schools.
After being under a lot of pressure studying and sitting for 'A' level examinations and still managing to fit in her training, she has done very well to gain selection once again.
All the committee and members of Wallasey Athletic Club wish Fran and Paul every success in these championships.
On Thursday, June 28, Wallasey Athletic Club attended the Hartford Relays. The turn-out of athletes was very good, and the club bus was completely full.
In the girls' long jump, Jayne McCoy received an award for finishing in second place with a jump of 4.07 metres. Newcomer Tricia Wilkinson gained a personal best jump of 3.48 metres while Lisa Eckersley who we will be sorry to lose when she moves this summer, also jumped a personal best of 3.34 metres. Joanne Johnson completed the team of long-jumpers with a jump of 3.33 metres.
In the youths' long jump Chris Lees gained a new personal best of 5.43 metres and an award to go with it for finishing in third place. Chris then went on to win the youths' 100 metres and receive another award.
In the boys' 100 metres Paul Beacall once again showed his strength in this event to take first place in 12.5 and win a medal.
The girls' 100 metres saw newcomer Zoe Laycock finish fourth in her heat. Jayne McCoy won her heat and finished fourth in the final.
The colts' 100 metres heats saw Phillip Lewis in fourth with Neil Cross and Timmy O'Rourke sharing fifth place.
The Under 13 Girls 'A' team ran very well in their 3 x 800 metres relay to finish in second position. All the girls received a plaque. The team consisted of Leisel Phillips with a time of 2.47, Jayne McCoy in 2.42, and Joanne Johnson in 2.45. The 'B' team in this relay also ran well with Collette Winstanley on first leg, Donna Kendal second leg and Zoe Laycock third leg. Donna ran well in her very first race for the club.
The Colts 4 x 800 metres relay saw the youngsters running well, considering they are all new to this age group, with Neil Hogarth with a time of 2.55, Timmy O'Rourke in 2.54. Paul Johnson in 2.57 and Mike Kendal in 3.04. Neil Cross and Phillip Lewis also took part, but had an incomplete team, Neil ran 3.06 and Phillip 2.56.
The senior 4 x 400 metres relay saw the team finish in fifth place with Lynne Kennedy, Fran Phillips, Sue Knight and Louise Hardwick all giving their best in this race.
The youths' 4 x 400 metre relay also finished in fifth position. The team consisted of Andrew Pennington. Rob Howarth, Chris Lees, and Hugh Samuels, Hugh stepping up an age group to make the team up.
Andrew went on later to compete in the 3,000 metre race, where he ran very well to finish in fifth place in a new personal best time of 9.46. In the mile race, Geoff Nuttall ran well to finish in seventh place in a time of 5.15 with Nigel Thompson in 10th with a time of 5.20 and Mark Yates in 12th place.
The 3,000 and 5,000 metre races, the final events of the evening were run in near darkness, but was well worth it for Sue Knight,
who was the second vet to finish in a time of 12 minutes. Sue received a plaque for her efforts.
Gordon Robinson and Bob Phillips both ran well in the 5000 metres to finish in times of 19.18 and 17.16 respectively.
The club bus arrived back in Wallasey at 11:30 p.m. after a very long evening; so thanks must go to all those who turned out to compete and to those who came along to support.
On Saturday, June 30, some athletes travelled to Stretford, where three new personal best times were recorded. Firstly, Rob Howarth ran an excellent 800 metres race knocking six seconds off his previous best time to record a time of 2.12.5 in the youths. Secondly, Andrew Pennington, also a youth, recorded a time of 2.11.6 in the 800 metres.
Thirdly, Bob Phillips had an excellent run in the senior men's 3000 metres race to record a time of 9.41. Bob's daughter, Fran, had a very good run to win the 100 metres in 12.7, then went on to have a good run in the 200 metres in 26.3. Dave Pendleton took part in the junior men's 800 metres, where he had a good run to finish in a time of 2.04. Lynne Kennedy had a good run in the inters 800 metres to finish fifth in 2.26.
Thanks to all those who contributed and who came to help at the Summer Fair, where rain literally stopped play during the latter part of the afternoon. Wallasey Athletic Club meet every Monday and Tuesday at the Rugby Club in Cross Lane at 7 p.m. give Alan Johnson a ring on 638 3435 for information.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 07/07/1984 by Margaret Johnson
Ref 1999