Last updated 19:43, Thursday, 29 May 2008

EIGHTEEN Cumbrian athletes travelled to Wigan for the Northern U17 and U15 championships over the Bank Holiday weekend.

And on a track buffeted by strong winds on both days they brought home two gold, five silver and one bronze medal as well as many personal best performances in one of the best showings ever by athletes from the county.

Pride of place goes to the two gold medallists - 16-year-old Laura Park, of Ellenborough AC, in the U17 3,000 metres and 14-year-old Chelsie Browbank, of Carlisle Aspatria AC, in the U15 200m. (See back page for Park story)

Browbank’s sprinting was a revelation. The Wigton athlete won her heat in 25.94 seconds and then stormed home in the final to beat more fancied rivals with 25.57 seconds, a time which places her currently fourth in the British ranking. It was also a 1.13 improvement on her pb.

England indoor silver medallist at 200 metres, 14-year-old Ryan Thompson (Carlisle Aspatria) collected two silver medals with pbs of 11.66 for the 100 and 23.32 for 200.

Also with two silvers was thrower 14 year old Katy Bernard (Border Harriers) from Appleby who threw a magnificent 43.85 metres in the hammer. She also collected silver in the discus.

Sixteen-year-old James Bowness (Trafford AC) from Egremont won silver in a hard fought 800 metres in blustery conditions in his second ever fastest time of 1.57.55.

In the U15 triple jump Robbie Nixon (Border Harriers) again improved his pb with 11.45 metres to win bronze.

Other finalists were Kieran Congdon (Carlisle Aspatria) 100/200, Jonny Hirst (Border Harriers) high jump, Abbie Hetherington (Carlisle Aspatria) 1500m, Fiona Laurie (Border Harriers) 200m/long jump, Alisha Casement (Kendal AC) long and high jumps, Kirsty Norwood (Eden Runners) high jump, James Whitfield (Carlisle Aspatria) 800m, Tim Orr (Border Harriers) 1500m, Tessa Stockdale (Seaton AC) high jump and Simon Little (Carlisle Aspatria) 3000m.