Wylye Valley biathlon and triathlon 15 January 2012 – New stars emerging

A new age of Mendip triathlon is dawning. There was so much to be proud of on 15 January – children trying the discipline for the first time with gusto, personal bests all round and an armful of rosettes to go round. We have some wonderful athletes emerging, giving great hope for the future, and some admirable team spirit.

In the biathlon class, we had three newcomers, Ollie, James and Freddie. Robyn led the way with one biathlon to her name and showing her teammates on how to complete the disciplines. She also improved her swim by nearly a whole length, to show how much the experience of having competed before helps. Well done Robyn for your improvement on last time and your team spirit! Freddie flew through the pool to come 3^rd in the swim; a great talent in the making. As for running, Mendip members clearly excel; James WON the running on his first outing, and Freddie was 3^rd. Ollie, our youngest member to compete by far, was cool under pressure and gave it his all to result in a creditable first performance. Our team was 4^th out of 7 teams. Freddie and James were 3^rd and 5^th respectively for individual placings.

The super minis consisted of Yasmin and Josh (our experienced triathletes), plus Megan, Lauren and John, all of whom were trying it for the first time. I was so impressed by the team spirit of this team; they urged each other on and competed with such composure that you would not have believed it was their first competition. Yasmin produced PBs in the shoot and run, plus a PB overall total, – not quite enough to earn her an individual place this time. John in his first competition came 5^th individually – a wonderful effort with a particularly good run. Megan and Lauren completed the disciplines with smiles (well, maybe not by the end of the running!) and enthusiasm to contribute to the team’s 5^th place. Josh though had the day of his life, winning both the shoot and the run, AND the individual 1^st. Well done Josh on having persevered at triathlon so well and improved at all phases. PBs on all three phases! You are an example to our first timers of what can be achieved.

Our minis were Alex, Harry and Haydon. Christopher should have joined them but could not get there in time for this class – we look forward to you joining them next time, Christopher. Haydon’s triumph was the swim. He managed a huge 9 metres more than his previous efforts for a PB; keep it up, Haydon – you are getting better every time out. Alex improved his shooting to nearly double his previous best, and hence, with reliably good swim and run scores, recorded his PB total to date. Harry led the way for Mendip running with his first 4 digit run score of exactly 1000 points, though still not enough against hot competition to earn him an individual placing in the run. He also managed a PB in the shoot with only 9 shots on the target and a PB overall. Our team was 5^th by only 8 points, so please get all your shots on next time, Harry!

Christopher represented us in the Juniors class even though he was too young for the class and doing his first ever event. A big achievement to have even attempted it. Well done. Christopher shows some real talent again in the running phase (a consistent theme for the Mendip) and once he is in his proper class with Harry, Alex and Haydon, we will have a team to contend with.

Overall, we had a wonderful day, each team going hoarse with urging on the others. We are on the map now and going to stay there. WELL DONE ALL.

Alex, Yasmin and Harry braved the closure of the Severn bridge to go to the Curre triathlon on 13th November. There was a HUGE entry, with each class of about 25 competitors, so the competition was red hot.

 

Alex produced a personal best swim for the season so far – a huge 6 metres better than his previous best. His other events this time didn’t go as well as he can do, but overall a creditable score.

 

Yasmin’s shoot is showing much better consistency, and her swim and run are both steadily improving. The strength of the opposition this time kept her from a placing.

 

Harry panicked after a massive 440 on his first shoot target and shot an erratic second target. A personal best in the swim and second place in the running saw him secure a personal best total and 4th place individually. It was incredibly close for the boys’ placings, with only 66 point separating the 1st and 4th places.

 

Well done to all. A good foundation for the SW&W tri on 10th Dec.