ATHLETICS: Sleaford cadets enjoy success at annual championships

It was a very busy day for the air cadets and staff of 2160 Sleaford Squadron last Sunday '“ not only was it the biggest day in their sporting calendar but also a day when cadets would be participating in air experience flying.

Juggling these two priorities was no mean feat, but as ever people stepped up to the plate and both events were well supported.

The sporting element of the day was centred on the annual Trent Wing Athletics Championships, held for the third year in succession at the SKDC Sports Stadium in Grantham. Sleaford’s squadron has a long and distinguished record of excellence in the field of athletics and this year was no exception.

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This year saw the emergence of a new generation of athletes who scored well in the junior sections of the competition; with the loss to university and the armed forces of many of last year’s seniors, the youngsters carried the torch for the Sleaford team.

Medals of all shades piled up steadily during the day; Cadet Holly Appadoo winning gold in the junior girls’ high jump, Cadet’s Tear, Jones and Welch carrying off silver medals in the junior boys’ 800m, discus and 1500m respectively, and with a massive hall of two gold and one silver medal in field events, Cadet Allen was the anchor for the junior girls’ success.

The final events of the day, the 4x100m relays, saw the girls gain bronze medals and with this performance ensure they won the overall trophy for this category.

Whilst all this excitement was unfolding at Grantham, over at RAF Cranwell another group of Sleaford cadets were enjoying the beautiful weather from the cockpits of tutor training aircraft.

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As the day drew to a close the weather, having been perfect all day, was marred by a sudden and torrential downpour; luckily by this stage all the events had been concluded but the trophy presentation was conducted with the aid of umbrellas.

Athletics team vaptain, Flying Officer Dave Peacock, said: “This young team has really made a terrific effort to achieve what they have today; I am immensely proud of their attitude and commitment. I would also like to thank all the staff who assisted on the day, both at the athletics meeting and the flying; without their commitment none of this would be possible.”

The final total of medals awarded to the cadets was as follows:

Junior Girls –

Cdt Allen: javelin - gold, discus - silver, shot-put - gold; Cdt Hansford: 1500m - gold, 400m - silver, relay - bronze; Cdt Appadoo: high jump - gold, relay - bronze; Cdt Hinton-Shereston: relay - bronze; Cdt Reed: relay - bronze; Hanson Trophy - Junior Girls overall champions.

Junior Boys –

Cdt Jones: discus - silver; Cdt Peckett: javelin - silver; Cdt Tear: 800m - silver; Cdt Welch:1500m - silver.

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