FOLLOWING the news Stratford Athletic Club had won the Warwick Vase for the fourth year in succession at the Warwickshire County Championships, the county association gave individual awards to four Stratford athletes.
The Warwick Vase is given to the best club overall, based on points for positions in finals. Stratford first won the trophy at the 2016 championships and has held it ever since.
The Warwickshire Athletics Association also gives awards to the best performers in each age group. Although it is always difficult to compare different events and the results are often very close, Stratford won four of the awards this year.
Shot-putter Lewis Byng took the U20 men’s award, sprint hurdler Cole Williams won the U17 men’s honour, sprint hurdler Freddie Clemons earned the U15 boys’ crown and javelin thrower Thomas Weaver won the U13 boys’ award.
Byng also won the Jack Hartley Trophy, awarded to the individual judged to have recorded the best performance overall. His shot put of 17.07m added more than two metres to the previous county record, which was set 16 years ago.
“It takes hard graft and determination as well as talent to reach this level of achievement,” said club coach Paul Bearman.
“We’re all working together to make sure all our athletes are the best they can be and I’m confident there’s more success to come as the season unfolds.”
“I always enjoy the County Championships and I am delighted all the hard work my coach, club and I have put in over the year has been recognised,” added Williams.
“I look forward to receiving the best performance plaque and sharing the success with the club.”
