Frawley and Bergin star at National Indoor Championships
Nenagh Olympic AC’s Laura Frawley was one of the stars after winning three titles at the National Indoor Track & Field Championships in Athlone last Saturday.
It was "Coronation Day" for Frawley as she was won the Under 23 Long Jump, High Jump & Heavy Weight Throw, the latter producing a championship record and national record on route to the success. To top off her great day, she also added a bronze medal in the Shot Putt.
There was also double joy for Moyne AC’s Katie Bergin who successfully defended her 60m & 200m titles won in 2023 and aiming to complete the three-in-a-row of national indoor 60m victories.
In the heats of the 60m, Katie led from gun to finish to record the fastest time of 7.67s. In the final, again in lane 6, she powered out of the blocks established an early advantage during the drive phase and secured her three-in-a-row with a new PB of 7.62s, with Aisling Kelly (UCD AC) second and Hannah Aspell (Celbridge AC) third.
Attention then turned to the heats of the 200m, and with only the winner of each heat to qualify for the final, Bergin set out her stall early on and crossed the line in first place to take one of the automatic qualifying places.
A two and a half hour break to the final is all about managing the time to be in prime shape for the final, again out in lane six Katie stormed out of the blocks, set out her stall down the back straight to gain a slight advantage over Emma Guion (Lagan Valley AC, Belfast) and Caoimhe Cronin (Kildare). Coming off the last bend, Katie extended her lead to win by .43sfrom the afore mentioned Guion and Cronin.
The double-double completed its a remarkable achievement for this young lady who is now the proud holder of six Under 23 national titles and one national senior 200m title.
Nenagh Olympic AC also had some other great performances from Sarah Lane who won silver in the Under 23 800m, and Ava Rochford who won bronze in the Under 20 High Jump.
Other notable performances were: Jennifer O'Leary (6th U20 1500m Heat); Luke Purcell (3rd U23 1500m Heat), James Tanner (12th U23 1500m Heat), Sean Hayes (8th U23 800m Heat); Niamh Cunneen (8th U23 1500m), Niamh Madden (U20 - 10th Shot Putt & 6th Heavy Weight Throw); Clodagh Donohoe (6th U20 Triple Jump); Ronan Ryan (2nd U23 200m Heat) & Padraig Hassett (4th U23 200m Final).
Also among the competitors in Athlone was Newport AC’s Sophie Walker who, two years out of age, produced excellent performances in the Triple Jump and 200m.
First up was the triple jump where she finished fifth place and set a new pb of 10.71m with very consistent jumping. Later, she was up for the 200m heats where she competed in heat 2 and finished a very strong second place and also set another pb of 25.41, narrowly missed out on a place in the final.
It’s a quick turnaround for all athletes with the AI Games taking place in Abbottstown, Dublin next weekend, where the best of Ireland and many UK athletes will take part.
Also, next Sunday, January 28th sees the National Juvenile Combined Events take place in Abbotstown.