Best club performance went to Helen McDonnell produced a stunning leap to clear 1.53 to win the Year 7 (U13) high jump, in the process adding a massive 10 cms to the club record with a height which is likely to be among the best for her age group this season. Katie O'Sullivan easily claimed the equivalent Junior Girls (U15) title, equalling the English Schools standard of 1.55m, just one cm below her best. The third HMAC athlete to jump higher than the opposition was in-form Steve Prady who found the Intermediate Boys' (U17) Schools' Entry standard of 1.90m, which he had equalled last weekend,  too much this time. Another high jumper to reach the medals podium was Scott Keating who set a new PB in the Junior Boys' event, while Michael Jenkins claimed bronze in the Y7 Boys' event..

Helen McDonnell smashes her club U13 High Jump record

(Photo: Keiran Galvin/Essex Courier)

The middle distance events proved a happy hunting ground as another three golds went to the HMAC athletes - all competing for different areas in this schools-based competition. Sara Luck in the burgundy colours of Mid-Essex Schools was a comfortable winner in the Junior Girls (U15) 800m in a time inside the National Standard which will lead to automatic selection for the English Schools championships at Exeter in July. There was drama in the 1500m event in the same age group as rapidly improving medal contender Charlotte Watkins, competing for Havering Schools,  was spiked and fell heavily on the first lap, taking no further part. Her absence provided Megan Foley with an easy win, but also deprived her of the competition she needed to reach the Schools' standard in these championships. In the Junior Boys 800m event the gold went to HMAC member Joe Golding, wearing the gold vests of Basildon Schools,  with Danny Skelt coming home in the bronze medal position.  In the Y7 girls 600m Katie Richardson just edged out team-mate Lauren Clark to place third. 

Sara Luck cruised to the Junior Girls 800m title in an English Schools National Standard.

Katie Richardson & Lauren Clark battle it out for 600m bronze

Two club throwers performed well to claim gold. Lynsey Clark produced a new PB when it counted to win the Junior Girls' Discus in 32.28m, well above the Schools National Standard, while in the Junior Boys' javelin Terry O'Leary took gold, although failing to match his PB set six days earlier. Another javelin thrower to gain a medal was Greg Smith in the Intermediate Boys competition

Terry O'Leary on way to javelin gold 

Four hurdles medals were gained with Nina Brennan's Inter Girls' 300m Hurdles title leading the way. In the other hurdles events Danielle Ross set a new PB when placing second in the Junior Girls' 75m event, although unable to repeat her victory in the Essex Clubs Championships in May. Bronze medals went to Claire Sargent (80m hurdles Inter Girls) and Peter Phillips (Inter Boys 400m hurdles). 

Danielle Ross (r) leads Chloe Van Wulven in the 75mH heat

Not to be outdone the horizontal jumpers also claimed gold, silver and bronze medals. Emma Bonny leapt to victory in the last round after trailing the leader by one cm in the Junior Girls Long Jump. Mark Gardiner had to settle for silver in the Intermediate Boys' event, while a bronze medal went to Lauren McVicar in the Y7 Long Jump.

Nicola Schofield (13) was part of a Havering Schools 1-2-3 behind Ella Kempster (14) and Lucy Rodgers (15).

(Photo: Keiran Galvin/Essex Courier)