THE MARY PETERS TRACK in Belfast played host to the Ulster Schools Athletics Combined Events Championships today, Thursday in what was the final event of the track and field calendar for 2015.
Lifford AC athletes, Shannon Craig, Tom Mullen and Kathleen Craig demonstrated why they are regarded as among the top multi-event athletes in the province by each returning home with a podium finish.
Shannon Craig, representing Royal and Prior School in Raphoe dominated the Intermediate Girls event from start to finish to land a thoroughly deserved gold medal ahead of Holly Brannigan.
The highlight for Craig on a day of highlights was a new personal best jump of 1.64m in the High Jump, failing ever so narrowly at 1.67m.
On this form, 1.70m is most certainly on the Raphoe girl’s radar for the upcoming Indoor season in early 2016.
Tom Mullen, meanwhile of Holy Cross College in Strabane fought a hugely exciting battle with fierce rival, Arran Sexton of North Down for top honours in the Junior Boys event.
Incredibly, both athletes found themselves tied on 2487 points apiece after four of the five events, the highlights for Mullen up to that point being a new personal best of 5.73m in the Long Jump and a 12.81m Shot Putt.
Sexton got the upper hand in the final event of the competition, the 800m to take top honours with a highly impressive Mullen settling for silver.
Kathleen Craig representing Royal and Prior School, Raphoe was a well deserving recipient of the bronze medal in the Senior Girls event after a number of very consistent performances throughout the five events.
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