The Ulster School track and field finals were held over two days last week. Wednesday 15th of May saw post primary Years 8-10 taking part and Saturday the 18th May was the turn of Years 11-14. This year, due to construction work at the usual location of the Antrim Forum, the event was hosted by Mary Peter’s track in Belfast.
EDAC had two members competing on Saturday. Oliver Robinson in the 400m and Anna Gardiner in the 3000m. Both qualified by placing in the top three at the District competitions a few weeks ago; Anna coming first then and Oliver in second.
In Ollie’s senior 400m, 14 runners were listed in the program so two heats were anticipated. This race see participants from years 13 and 14 competing together. In the end only eight runners presented themselves when the semifinal races were called so it turned to be a straight final. This was a great relief to the participants since there would have been a five hour wait until the final if a place was gained. Oliver was drawn in lane three with last year’s winner Cormac Crotty in lane one and second place medallists Conor Adair in lane eight. One new face, Shane Mulligan, lined up and was seen to be the major competition having set a sub 50 second 400m at the qualifying round. Ollie didn’t have the best start but settled well and wasn’t fazed when Cormac drew level with him. On the last bend it looked like there were 5 runners in contention for medals with Shane in the lead. Coming to the line Ollie overtook Cormac and had Conor in his peripheral vision on the right. Shane crossed the line in 49.63 and it was a tense wait to see placings for second and third. In the end Conor pipped Ollie to second in a time of 51.44 with Ollie just behind in 51.5 gaining a bronze medal and setting a seasonal best.
Anna Gardiner ran in the combined inter and senior Girl’s 3000m race immediately after Ollie’s race. From the gun Emer McKee (inter girls) took the lead for the first 800m. Anna then made her way to the front and was followed by Elsa Moore. These two girls stayed together pushing hard until the final lap when Anna pulled away. She secured a comfortable win and ends her senior year as the Ulster champion once again gaining a place at the All Irelands in a few weeks’ time.
