Pictures: Tipton Harriers' athletes hit top spot
[gallery] Tipton Harriers took another big step towards promotion as they secured maximum points from the South-West Two meet at Tipton Sports Academy.
The Under-17s and Under-20s hosted teams from Border Olympians, Bromsgrove & Redditch, Cardiff Archers, Dudley & Stourbridge Harriers and Kidderminster & Stourport and were able to take maximum points with a total match score of 276.
It was a narrow victory that went right down to the relay events, Harriers prevailing over second-placed Bromsgrove & Redditch by three points.
Marcela Golebiowski ran a fine 100m in 12 seconds flat for the Under-17 men, while Derrion Thompson won the Under-20 female equivalent for the hosts in 12.8.
Fourteen-year-old Katie Southern had two reasons to smile as she smashed her PB on her way to winning the Under-17 200m in 28.8 for the Harriers.
There were also top spots for Katie Dolan in the Under-20 400 and 800m, while Tom Acha was successful in the Under-20 1500m in four-and-a-half minutes.
Isher Mander won in the female equivalent, registering a time of 5.30.
Daniela Sedgley and Rosa Lewis took advantage of solo fields by securing top points in the 1500m Under-20 and Under-17, respectively.
With Bromsgrove & Redditch breathing down the necks of the young Tipton stars throughout, Stephen Cole landed an impressive season-best of 17.98m in the Under-20 discuss followed up a PB as he broke the 10m barrier with victory in the shot put.
Tipton fielded a team in the Under-20 4x400m women's relay and scored heavily as they clocked a time of 4.47.
It was a vital week for the hosts, who leapfrogged both Cardiff Archers and Kidderminster & Stourport into second place in the league standings and are now only two points behind leaders Bromsgrove & Redditch. The top two clubs get promoted.
The win kick-starts a busy schedule for the Tipton club, who host the Special Olympic Games on Sunday.
It is the first time the event has taken place in Sandwell for over 30 years.
Then, on Wednesday, July 8, there is a memorial event for Andy Holden. The former club stalwart, who competed at the 1972 Olympic Games, passed away in January 2014.
The event, a five-mile memorial race, begins at the Coneygre Community Centre, Tipton at 7.15pm.
The deadline for postal and online entrants is Monday, July 6.
On the Special Olympics, club secretary Marg Cheddington said: "It's really special that we have the opportunity to host the games.
"It's the first time in over 30 years that we've had the chance to bring it to Sandwell.
"We're expecting a huge turnout. The athletes competing are all stars and the quality they have will surprise people."
