Team Kennet’s Ben East enjoyed a memorable weekend in France, producing a huge personal best throw of 80.05m to break through the prestigious 80-metre barrier for the first time in his career.

Competing against a strong international field, Ben delivered when it mattered most, joining the exclusive club of athletes to have thrown beyond 80 metres. The performance marks a significant milestone in his athletics journey and is a reward for years of dedication and hard work.

Ben is coached by John Trower, with Luke Angell continuing to support his development as part of the wider coaching team. The result reflects the hard work being put in by both athlete and coaches, with Ben continuing to establish himself among Britain’s leading javelin throwers.

With the season still in full swing, the breakthrough performance in France provides an exciting platform for the competitions ahead. Everyone at Team Kennet congratulates Ben on a fantastic achievement and wishes him every success for the remainder of the season.

Across the second day of competition, Team Kennet athletes secured an incredible medal haul of 8 Gold, 4 Silver and 5 Bronze medals, rounding off a hugely successful championship weekend.

The Berkshire Championships began strongly in the field events, where the throws squad once again dominated proceedings. In the Under 16 boys Hammer, Oscar Hooks completely controlled the competition, launching the hammer out to 43.11m to secure County gold.

In the older Under 18 age group, Turkay Altuntas continued his exceptional weekend after his Discus success on Day 1, producing a huge 58.61m throw in the Hammer to comfortably take another gold medal.

The Under 14 girls also enjoyed major success, with Isla Ladds producing a fantastic all-round display. She claimed gold in the Shot with 7.37m, before earlier securing another County title in the Long Jump with a leap of 4.60m.

Another field event gold arrived in the Under 18 girls Discus, where Zoe Dickson threw 23.01m to stand on top of the podium.

The Javelin runway also delivered more success for Team Kennet. In the Under 18 men’s event, Will McDonald claimed gold with a throw of 46.79m, while in the Senior Men’s competition, Luke secured an incredible 13th consecutive County title, winning gold with a throw of just over 54m.

Several athletes also earned excellent Silver medals throughout the day. Orlagh Stratford narrowly missed out on High Jump gold in the Under 14 girls competition, losing on countback despite clearing 1.40m.

In the Javelin events, Noah Lauder Clarke secured Silver in the Under 16 boys competition with 44.60m, while second-claim athlete Chris Broadfoot matched the achievement in the Under 18 event with 46.05m.

On the track, the Under 14 girls 800m was decided by time trials, with Ella Larkin producing a strong run of 2:23.88, enough to secure Bronze overall.

Additional Bronze medals came from:

• Euan Jones – Under 16 Javelin (32.75m)
• Ben Schaffer Harte – Senior Men’s 1500m (6:04.87)
• Oliver Young – Under 16 boys 100m (12.67)

Throughout the day there were Team Kennet athletes competing in blue, yellow and white across almost every event, with several athletes narrowly missing out on podium positions.

In the Under 14 girls competition, Matilda Clare enjoyed another busy day, finishing:

• 4th in the Long Jump (4.46m)
• 9th in the 800m (2:40.9)
• 6th in the 200m Final (29.13)

In the Under 16 boys age group:

• Josh Ladds finished 4th in the Javelin (29.23m) and 8th in the 100m Final (13.91)
• Owen Tilsley placed 7th in the 100m Final

After medalling on Day 1, Quinn Joyce returned to the track in the Under 14 girls 800m, finishing 6th overall in 2:28.29.

In the Under 16 girls events:

• Ella Cronk placed 6th in the Long Jump (4.08m)
• Finished 13th in the 800m (2:46.03)

Meanwhile, Ben Schaffer Harte also reached the Senior Men’s 100m Final, placing 8th in 14.81. and Gold in the 3000m Steeplechase

Away from Berkshire, the Hampshire County Championships saw a much busier second day for Team Kennet athletes, with more medals added to the overall tally.

Harriet Saunders delivered an excellent run in the Under 16 girls 1500m, clocking 4:51.38 to win Silver.

In the Under 18 girls Discus, Suki Humphreys secured Bronze with a throw of 22.81m.

Back in the Under 16 girls events, Catherine Wood narrowly missed out on medals:

• 4th in the Javelin (21.76m)
• 5th in the Discus (23.38m)

Olivia Bentley also returned for the 800m Final, running 2:27.07 to finish 6th overall.

Championship Weekend Summary

After two outstanding days of competition, Team Kennet athletes secured more than 30 County Championship medals across Berkshire and Hampshire:

🥇 13 County Champions
🥈 9 Silver Medallists
🥉 10 Bronze Medallists

An exceptional weekend for the club, showcasing the depth, talent and determination across every age group and discipline.

Team Kennet athletes delivered an outstanding opening day at the Berkshire County Championships, returning home with an impressive medal haul of 4 Gold, 5 Silver and 5 Bronze medals across a packed schedule of competition.

The Altuntas family once again enjoyed a hugely successful day in the field events. In the Under 16 boys competition, Berkay Altuntas claimed County gold in the Discus with a superb throw of 41.86m, before adding a Silver medal in the Shot with 13.25m. Older brother Turkay Altuntas continued the family success in the Under 18 age group, securing Discus gold with a commanding 52.45m throw.

Also striking gold in the Under 18 category was Theo Nightingale, who cleared 1.85m to win the High Jump title in style.

The fourth gold medal of the day came from Senior/Veteran athlete Bart Kuijten, who produced a strong performance in the 5000m, winning in 17:44.92.

There were several excellent Silver medal performances throughout the day. Oskar Larkin narrowly missed out on High Jump gold in the Under 16 boys event, losing on countback despite clearing 1.51m.

One of the races of the day came in the Under 14 girls 1500m, where a thrilling three-way battle unfolded from start to finish. Quinn Joyce secured Silver in 5:02.08, while Maisie McCurtin earned Bronze after leading parts of the race, finishing in 5:04.78. Teammate Darcey Claridge also competed strongly to place 6th in 5:30.99.

In the Under 14 girls Javelin, Matilda Clare produced a huge throw of 28.67m, earning Silver, while teammate Ella McDonald added another medal to the tally with Bronze thanks to a throw of 23.33m.

Another Bronze medal came courtesy of Zoe Dickson in the Under 18 girls Hammer, where she threw 31.64m.

Back in the Under 16 boys age group, Oliver Young sprinted to Bronze in the 200m Final with 25.12, after earlier finishing third in his heat with 25.3. Teammate Matais Manrique Hueglass also qualified for the final after placing second in his heat with 26.61, although unfortunately he was unable to make the final start line. Earlier in the day, he narrowly missed out on a Long Jump medal with a best leap of 5.10m.

The Under 16 boys Discus also brought more success for Team Kennet, with Rueben Kuijten claiming Bronze thanks to a throw of 34.50m, while Oscar Hooks finished just outside the medals in 4th place with 32.06m.

Several athletes also produced excellent performances despite narrowly missing podium positions. In the Under 14 boys events, Seb Lane finished an excellent 4th in the Long Jump with 4.49m, before adding another 4th place in the 200m Final in 27.69.

Teammate Alfie Cronk also endured a frustratingly close day, finishing 4th in both the Discus (18.13m) and Shot (6.86m).

Meanwhile, Under 14 athlete Matilda Clare rounded off a busy day by reaching the 100m Final, finishing 8th in 13.98 after qualifying from the heats in 13.83.

Away from Berkshire, the Hampshire Championships also brought success for Team Kennet athletes. Catherine Wood secured Silver in the Under 16 girls Shot with 9.54m, while Olivia Bentley safely progressed through to Sunday’s 800m Final after finishing second in her heat in 2:23.02.

An exceptional opening day for Team Kennet, with medals, personal bests, finals qualification and strong performances across every age group.

Ben East opened his season in impressive fashion, securing victory in the men’s javelin with a best throw of 74.04 metres.

Competing in difficult conditions, with persistent heavy rain affecting the runway and grip, East showed strong control and composure throughout. Despite the wet weather, he managed to deliver a consistent series and produce a winning mark to kick off his campaign.

A very solid early-season performance, particularly given the conditions, and a promising sign for the competitions ahead.

Match Results

Abingdon – 357.5
Team Kennet – 337.5
Radley – 273
Winchester City AC – 228
Marlborough – 179
Woking – 166

Team Kennet delivered a series of standout performances across all age groups, with multiple athletes achieving top UK rankings and securing key victories. Highlights included Turkay Altuntas throwing 50.58m in the Discus (UK No. 6), Berkay Altuntas reaching 40.87m (UK No. 4), Noah Lauder Clark throwing 49.74m in the Javelin (UK No. 6), Isla Ladds winning the Discus with 27.26m (UK No. 8), and the Under 14 girls 4x100m relay team ranking 4th in the UK.

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Additional Fixture – Tilsley Park

Another strong day for Team Kennet at Tilsley Park Athletics Track, securing overall victory across both boys and girls.

U12 Girls

The girls delivered outstanding performances to take first place on the day:

Darcey Scaplehorn – Vortex winner (now unbeaten with back-to-back wins)
Olivia Kwit – 600m winner
Hazel Balch – Long Jump winner

U12 Boys

The boys finished third overall and contributed important points towards the overall team win:

Lenny Wyvill – 600m (3rd)
Harvey Baker – Vortex (3rd)

The team spirit was excellent throughout, with athletes supporting each other and competing in the right way. Another strong performance from Team Kennet.

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Under 14 Girls

A dominant team victory, winning by over 30 points:

Middle Distance:

Maisie McCurtin – 1st 1500m (5:03.6, UK No. 29)
Darcey Claridge – 1st B String 1500m (5:21.4)
Ella Larkin – 1st 800m (2:24, UK No. 23)
Quinn Joyce – 1st B String 800m (2:24.5, UK No. 29)

Sprints:

200m:
Matilda Clare – 2nd (28.8)
Ella Larkin – 1st B String (29.2)

100m:
Orlagh Stratford – 4th (14.7)
Isla Ladds – 1st B String (14.5)

Relay:

4x100m (Larkin, Ladds, Clare and Stratford) – 1st (55.90, UK No. 4)

Field Events:

High Jump:
Orlagh Stratford – 1st (1.45m, UK No. 10)
Quinn Joyce – 1st B String (1.25m)

Long Jump:
Isla Ladds – 2nd A String (4.43m) and 1st B String (4.32m)

Discus:
Isla Ladds – 1st (27.26m, UK No. 8)
Affra Bailey – 2nd B String

Javelin:
Ella McDonald – 3rd (25.05m)
Matilda Clare – 1st B String (25.04m)
(Both ranked UK No. 21 and 22)

Shot:
Ayla Wyvill – 3rd (6.01m)
Affra Bailey – 1st B String (5.91m)

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Under 14 Boys

Seb Lane had a strong day:

1st – 200m (27.9)
4th – 100m (14.0)
1st – Long Jump (4.66m)

Alfie Cronk:

4th – Discus (16.94m)
3rd – Shot (7.39m)
2nd – Long Jump

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Under 16 Girls

Finished 2nd overall:

Track:

Olivia Bentley – 2nd 800m (2:28) and 2nd 300m (47.5)
Ella Cronk – 2nd B String 800m (2:45.5)

200m:
Izzy Payne – 5th (29.2)
Olivia Rayfield – 5th (31.0)

100m:
Olivia Rayfield – 5th (14.7)
Izzy Payne – 1st B String (14.4)

Relay:

4x100m (Payne, Bentley, Cronk and Rayfield) – 1st (57.2)

Field:

Jessie McCurtin – 4th High Jump (1.35m)

Long Jump:
Izzy Payne – 4th (4.58m)
Ella Cronk – 2nd B String

Throws:

Catherine Wood – 2nd Discus (23.84m), 1st Javelin (21.80m) and 1st Shot (9.06m)
Ella Cronk – 1st B String Shot (5.51m)

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Under 16 Boys

Another convincing team win following last week’s success:

Throws:

Berkay Altuntas – Discus 40.87m (UK No. 4), Shot 13.56m (UK No. 11)
Noah Lauder Clark – Javelin 49.74m (UK No. 6)
Josh Ladds – 1st B String Javelin (31.5m)
Oscar Hook – 1st B String Discus (33.37m) and Shot (11.01m)

Jumps:

High Jump:
Josh Brian – 3rd A String (1.45m)
Noah Lauder Clark – 1st B String (1.45m)

Long Jump:
Josh Brian – 3rd (5.36m)
Aaron Titlow – 1st B String (4.72m)

Track:

Matais Manrique Huelglas – 100m 12.8 (5th), 200m 25.4 (4th)
Owen Tilsley – 2nd in both B String 100m (13.3) and 200m (27.2)
Noah Lauder Clark – 3rd 300m (41.50)
Josh Brian – 1st B String 300m (42.0)
Oscar Larkin – 4th 800m (2:20.7)

Relay:

4x100m – 3rd place

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Under 18 Women

With only two athletes competing, both delivered excellent performances:

Zoe Dickason – Discus 23.77m, Shot 7.93m (both wins)
Suki Humphreys – Discus 20.25m, Shot 6.47m

Both athletes won their events and respective strings.

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Under 18 Men

Although finishing 4th overall, the squad produced some outstanding performances:

Turkay Altuntas won the Discus with 50.58m (UK No. 6), narrowly missing the league record, and also won the Shot with 13.51m.
Will McDonald won the Javelin with 52.46m (UK No. 13).
Theo Nightingale cleared 1.93m to win the High Jump (UK No. 10) and placed 4th in the Long Jump with 5.49m.

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What’s Next

Most athletes are next in action at the Berkshire and Hampshire Track and Field Championships, where there is strong potential for a successful medal return for West Berkshire.