Eastbourne Rovers turn out in memory of athletics stalwart Martin

After the Sussex Athletic Championships were cancelled in May, Eastbourne Rovers athletes welcomed an end-of-season competition at Lewes AC as a substitute, run in memory of Sussex official Martin Etchells.
By Paul Davidson
Published 17th Oct 2020, 10:48 BST
Eastbourne Rovers athletes at the Lewes fixture - James Stephen, Eleanor Strevens, Elle Mclean and Isabell ChappellEastbourne Rovers athletes at the Lewes fixture - James Stephen, Eleanor Strevens, Elle Mclean and Isabell Chappell
Eastbourne Rovers athletes at the Lewes fixture - James Stephen, Eleanor Strevens, Elle Mclean and Isabell Chappell

Wind and rain did not seem conducive to good times and distances but it did not deter some Rovers athletes, who produced some amazing performances.

The first was in the 1500m races. For some this was the only track competition they had been to this season so were ready to smash their personal bests.

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U17 James Stephen knocked a fantastic 18 seconds off his previous PB in 4min 42.34sec.

Eleanor Strevens’ 4.53.74 is a fantastic time for an U15 girl. Next fastest Eastbourne athlete was U15 Ilya Korchev in 5.00.23. Elle Mclean also recorded a PB with 5.05.58 as did training partner Isabell Chappell with 5.16.48. Eloise Key finished in 5.35.53 and Oscar Mizen a PB of 5.56.02.

Caitlyn Spencer showed strength and speed in the U15 girls’ 300m. She was fastest in the age group with 45.43sec.

Dylan Brudenell was thrilled to win both his sprint races. The 100m matched his previous performances but in the 200m he won in 24.77sec for a PB. In the same race U15 Jack Usher improved his 100m with a brilliant 12.38, second fastest time for an U15 boy. He also cleared 1m50 in the high jump for another PB. Daisy Barrows looked very relaxed in the U15 100m finishing in 13.9 secs for another PB and Eloise Martin made her season debut over 100m.

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In one 100m race, coach Dan Sheppard lined up against two of his athletes Jahziah Williams and Harriet Armstrong. He pipped Williams to the post in 13.2. Shania Martlew doubled up in the sprints and clocked 13.5 and 27.5sec for the 100m and 200m.

Rose Chaplin is consistent over 400m and was third in the U20s in 63.12sec. Vet athlete Alan Rolfe tackled the one-lap race coming second in 64.08sec while Barry Morris did the 300m in 46.21.

In the 800m, U15 Ben Brown produced a PB of 2.27.87. U20 Matt Grindrod clocked 2.00.37.

Molly Swingler took the opportunity to try the 800m, recording a respectable 2.38.36.

V40 Cara Maker leapt to a fantastic 5.03m while Brian Slaughter(V60) recorded 4.51 in the long jump.

Related topics:Sussex