The Senior Striders were competing over the past two weeks, at the Wexford Track & Field Championships, with a strong squad that contained many athletes who have progressed through the Striders under age system. On the first night, Rebecca Bawden was a real hero, in the last leg of the 4 x 400m, helping team mates Sonya Byrne, Catriona McLoughlin and Paula Freeman to a thrilling silver medal. In the men’s equivalent, Gavin Kelly showed that father time has not blunted his speed, helping youngsters Nic Walkden, Paul Doran and Aaron Browne to an impressive win. Other highlights included Alan O’Connor, Joe Lillis and John McGrath filling the first three places in the 5,000m event and Eve Byrne and Cian Flanagan both winning their Javelin events. Medal winners on the night also included Paula Freeman, Aine Cullen, Aoife Muldoon and Brendan Lyng. The second night of action, also at the Enniscorthy track provided more excitement and medals for the Striders. Aoife NiEochaidh was the golden girl, with a thrilling last leg, winning gold for the Striders ladies 4x100m team, that also included Paula Freeman, Aoife Muldoon and Rebecca Bawden. Paul Doran led home a Striders one-two-three, in the Men’s 1,500m, ahead of Joe Lillis and John McGrath. Paula Freeman had to battle hard, down the home straight, to hold off Sonya Byrne, as the Striders won gold and silver in the 200m event. Other medal winners, on a very successful night included, Aaron Browne, Anastasia Cash, Rebecca Bawden, Pat O’Callaghan and Conor Murphy. A big thanks to Theresa, Nora, Grainne, and others from the club, who helped out and thanks to Wexford Athletics and County Secretary for hosting a fantastic event.
Full results:
Senior 5,000m Men
1st Alan O’Connor
2nd Joe Lillis
3rd John McGrath.
Senior 200m Women
3rd Paula Freeman.
Senior 200m Men
3rd Nic Walkden.
Senior Shot Putt
3rd Aine Cullen.
Senior 4x400m Relay Women
2nd Sonya Byrne, Catriona McLoughlin, Paula Freeman, Rebecca Bawden.
Senior 4x400m Relay Men
1st Aaron Browne, Gavin Kelly, Nic Walkden, Paul Doran.
U16 Javelin
1st Eve Byrne.
U17 Javelin
1st Cian Flanagan.
U19 Triple Jump
1st Aoife Muldoon.
400m Novice
2nd Rebecca Bawden.
400m Novice
1st Aaron Browne.
400m Masters
2nd Sonya Byrne.
400m Masters O50
1st Gavin Kelly.
100m Masters
3rd Paula Freeman.
100m Masters O50
2nd Gavin Kelly.
1500m Novice
2nd Brendan Lyng.
1500m Masters
2nd Joe Lillis
3rd John McGrath.
100m Senior
3rd Aoife Ni Eoghaidh
400m Senior
1st Aaron Browne
1,500m Senior
1st Paul Doran
2nd Joe Lillis
3rd John McGrath
Long jump Senior
3rd Aoife Muldoon 4.58m
4x100m Senior Relay
1st Paula Freeman, Aoife Muldoon, Rebecca Bawden, Aoife Ni Eoghaidh
1,500 Masters
2nd Sonya Byrne
1,500 Masters
1st John McGrath
200m Masters
1st Paula Freeman
2nd Sonya Byrne
200m Novice
1st Aoife Ni Eoghaidh
3rd Anastasia Cash
200m Masters
1st John McGrath
3,000m U18
1st Rebecca Bawden
5,000m Masters
2nd Alan O’Connor
3rd Paul Doran