IT was a bitter sweet day at the Dorset County Championships for Benedict Westhenry who came away with gold and silver medals, a triple jump personal best and a week on crutches.
The day got off to a great start for the Weymouth St Paul’s Harrier as he matched his pb of 2.20 metres to gain a second-placed finish in the pole vault.
Next up was the triple jump. Westhenry scored 10.21m with his first effort and although that was less than his practice jumps, the distance was enough to give him first place and an official personal best.
Westhenry was now looking for continued success in his favourite event – the 3,000m.
As the under-15 title-holder from last year, Westhenry was keen to break the age group record and gain a pb for this year.
And he was well on pace for a sub 9:25 minute time until his foot caught the inner railing of the track as he approached 1,200m.
The teenager went down with a badly twisted ankle and had to be carried from the track.
The only consolation was that, besides his previous joy, Westhenry’s time of 9:47mins in last year’s event remains the fastest for the current under-15s in Dorset.
Injury also got the better of team-mate Thomas Austin, who suffered a knee problem in the Under-17 800m race and was unable to take part in the 200m.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here