Stellar efforts from DAC athletes at Inter-Counties

Stellar performances from U13 high jumper and hurdler Kevin Masukume and U15 middle-distance runner Ben Stevenson were among the highlights for Derby Athletic Club competitors at the Inter Counties championships.

The U13 and U15 event, on Saturday 14 September in Hull, saw 16 DAC youngsters chosen to compete as part of the Derbyshire team, against athletes from Warwickshire, South Yorkshire, Humberside, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire.

Kevin, who trains in multi events and looks a real prospect, started the day with an emphatic win in the 75m hurdles, leading all the way and finishing with clear daylight between him and the rest of the field in a PB time of 12.09, more than a second ahead of the second-placed athlete.

He then attacked the high jump competition with his usual vigour and enthusiasm, and cheered on by his supporters managed to beat his previous PB by 11cm, setting a new mark of 1.63, which puts him equal number one in the country for his age group.

Ben, who has impressed all summer in the 800m, ran a perfect race, tucked in on he shoulder of the Leicestershire runner for the first 600m, then at the final bend pulling away and using his strong finish to win the race in fine style in a time of 2.05.76, almost three seconds clear of the field.

Other DAC athletes proudly competing in the county vest were Anna Norman and Annabelle Ita in the U15 girls’ 800m (Annabelle also competed in the high jump); Levi Heath (U13) and Jake Horvath-Szovati (U15) in the boys’ 100m and 200m, Levi coming second in his 200m; Sarah Bourne in the U15 girls’ 1500m, posting a PB; Sam Coulson in the U13 boys’ 200m and high jump; Edward Smith (U15) and Stanley Lowe (U13) in the boys’ 800m; James Rouse in the U15 boys’ 1500m; Sophie Robertson-Dover in the U13 girls’ 70m hurdles; Jess Robertson-Dover in the U15 girls’ high jump; Patricija Nemanyte and Elisa Bououd in the U15 girls’ shot, Patricija coming second in her competition; and Karanjot Singh in the U15 boys’ relay.