TAVISTOCK Athletic Club stormed the Plymouth and Exeter openers.

Joely Bytheway was fifth in all 400 metre hurdles; Jamie Bulbring, third in U15 100m; Edward Fileman, fifth in U17 hammer; Charlie Shipton 11th U20 hammer; Lois Fileman 13th U20 hammer – go to the top of the UK rankings.

Following on from the great success of TAC’s cross country season the track stars start their bid for gold – from their youngest competing athlete Zara Kinsey and newest Chloe Wallbutton in her first track season right up to George a senior member of the club putting a grand performance in with the hammer.

Twenty four TAC athletes attended the Plymouth spring warm over the Easter bank holiday and the Ken Tricky memorial open at Exeter arena. The hard work over the winter training period is showing good solid results at the early stages of the season recording 16 wins at Plymouth, followed by six golds, three silver and nine bronze at Exeter. 

Ben Pitts grabbed (U15) gold at Exeter with back to back 100m wins ranked 10th in the UK; Grace Wonnacott U13 clinched gold at Exeter after strong performance at Plymouth; Harry Tomlin (U15) leads the South West for javelin and shot with 13th and 18th UK rankings; Emma Ryder (U20) ranked 24th in the UK at 1,500m and Ella Tomlin (U20) is 16th in the UK rankings. 

Club chair Alistair Kinsey said: ‘Every time Tavistock Athletes attend a competition they never fail to show commitment, strength, professionalism, sportsmanship and the ability to dig deep when it counts – a truly inspired performance by all. I congratulate the fully qualified and professional coaching team that volunteer week in week out to help these athletes achieve their goals.’

The selection for the Youth Development League Premier division is under way with 12 Tavistock athletes confirming their places after these recent performances. A number of athletes have achieved national standards already and must maintain there performances with one eye on the upcoming selections for English Schools.  Next weekend is the Southern Athletics League in Walton followed by a full diary going in to the summer months.