Region’s top youngsters make their mark at UKA/England Athletics Winter Long Throws Championships

SOME of the region’s top young throwers were in action at the weekend when they took part in the inaugural UKA/England Athletics Winter Long Throws Championships at Loughborough.

City of Plymouth’s Nubia Evans-Shields and Tavistock AC’s Phoebe Milburn both picked up silver medals in the under-20 events.

Evans-Shields came second in the discus with a throw of 41.42m, while Milburn was runner-up in the hammer with a best effort of 48.28m, which was only 23cm off winning.

There was also a bronze medal for Tavistock’s AC’s Tegan Brown in the under-18 hammer competition. She threw 48.19m at the season-opener.

Her team-mate Hazel Stead claimed a PB of 48.06m to finish fifth in a strong under-16 girls’ hammer event.

Nick Ridgeon, event group lead for throws, was excited to see talented athletes rise to the championship occasion and use the event as a stepping stone for future success.

“The UKA/England Athletics Winter Long Throws Championships is a pilot event, as we look to innovate and tailor our competition offering to the athletes,” he said.

“This competition is part of England Athletics drive to develop not only skilful and powerful throwers, but also those who can perform well under the pressure of a championships.”