CITY of Plymouth’s teenage discus thrower Nubia Evans-Shields will go into this summer’s outdoor season in confident mood after impressing for England at a rare indoor meeting in Sweden.
Evans-Smith was part of a 20-strong England team made up of highly-rated under-23, under-20 and under-18 shot, discus and javelin athletes to travel to the Växjö Inomhuskast indoor throwing meeting.
The double English Schools’ champion continued her incredible success since taking up the sport by winning the under-18 event in Sweden by five metres.
Evans-Shield threw an impressive 43.58m, which was the second best throw of her career and just 34cm off her personal best.
It was her second taste of international action, having won for England Schools at the SIAB International in Belfast in July.
Evans-Shields’ gold in Sweden was one of eight England collected. They also claimed five silvers and three bronze medals.
England team leader Nick Ridgeon said: “The potential of this team is huge. The athletes are super talented and fantastic ambassadors for England Athletics.
“The staff worked tirelessly supporting the athletes and each other. I am very excited for what the summer hold for this group.”
After the event, co-captain Chuk Osammor added: “The team as a whole were able to display good form and show their ability to compete, with some impressive and inspirational performances.
“I am certain that as a result of this event every member has experienced and found something new within themselves to propel them through the season.”
Meanwhile, fellow City of Plymouth under-17 athlete Molly Shorey claimed a top 20 finish at the UK Inter-Counties Championships at Prestwood Hall on Saturday.
Devon were really unlucky not to medal in that event with Innes Fitzgerald winning and Scarlett Livingstone 12th. In the end Devon just missed out on third by four points.
Tamar Trotters’ Bex Ezra-Ham was part of a strong Cornwall women’s team that finished in the top six teams. She was their fourth scorer coming home in 51st place in a strong senior women’s race.
Many of the junior athletes who compete at Prestwood will also be representing their counties at this weekend’s English Schools’ Cross Country Championships at Wollaton Park in Nottingham.
Full result from the UK Inter-Counties Championships can be found HERE.
Elsewhere on the road, Plymouth Harriers’ Ross Penny was 12th overall and second M35-39 at the Run Falmouth Half Marathon on Sunday. Penny clocked 1:26.00 for the race, which was won by Truro’s Steve Reynolds.
In the female 35-39 age group, Plymstock Road Runners’ Jemma Phillis was second, while Tamar Trotters’ Ayesha Gillespie was third female under-35.
Fellow Tamar Trotter Linda Tout was first F70-74, while team-mate Steve Baker was third M65-69.
East Cornwall Harriers’ Ray Goodright was second M75-79, while club colleague Cheryl Hanns picked up third place in the F45-49 category and Looe’s Kathy Saunders was third F65-69.
Full results from the Run Falmouth Half Marathon can be found HERE.