Vault
Vault Manchester is one of the biggest
athletics events of its type – a single event competition attracting almost one
hundred athletes. This year the age gap between
youngest and oldest competitor was an astonishing 46 years! The competitors
included three members of the same family, a father and son, a husband and wife
and five sets of brothers or sisters. The competition itself is split in to
three sessions utilizing two separate landing areas. Add into this an excellent
public address system belting out the latest tunes and a master of ceremonies
‘bigging up’ each athlete - it’s a spectacular event.
Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde AC entered no less than eleven athletes – our
best effort yet. The number of vaulters competing means an early start for some
and first up for us were Matt Wright, Laurie Needham and Loryn McCrudden. Matt
jumped a very solid 4.32m and SportCity based Laurie, suffering with a back
injury, just missed his opening height. Loryn managed to get no further than
her opening height of 2.57m – obviously saving herself for the following day’s Northern
indoor championships in
The midday session
features the elite vaulters and saw Luke Cutts (Dearneside AC), the GB number two,
clear 5.32m.
And so to the afternoon session, where the
rest of BWFAC’s vaulters were in
action. First on, in his very first competition, was latest recruit Dom
Lavelle. It was hard to tell who was more nervous – Dom or mum Jan! No need to
have worried though. Dom easily cleared the opening height and went on to clear
an excellent 2.02m. Training partners Katrina Kelly and Alicia Roylance were
next, clearing 2.02m and 2.17m respectively. With vociferous support from the family
Jones, young David smashed his PB by 20cm clearing 2.52m. Stacey Manning, a
very elegant vaulter, was in good form and jumped 2.62m while Tanya Wright jumped
2.42m.
Over on the other landing area U17s Finn
Walker and Matt Walker (not related!) showed that they will be a force to be
reckoned with this season. Finn jumped 3.17m while Matt recorded a new PB of
3.72m, and in doing so, made the qualifying mark for the national championships
at the NIA in
Well done to all the BWFAC
athletes – a credit to themselves and club.
And finally, a thanks to Dave Needham and his fellow officials
and organisers for making it such a fantastic event.
Kevin Davies
And just a note to say congratulations to the three vaulters who
travelled to