Charlotte Christian pictured during the Shot Putt competition in Rhodes in 2007 (photo: Ian Astin).
The late Merrik Bousfield, friend and mentor to many Manx throwers, pictured during the 2005 Games in Shetland (photo Graham Davies).
Gemma Astin takes the bell during the 1500m race in Rhodes in 2007 (photo Ian Astin).
Four of the female members of the team will be travelling to their second Island Games later this month – one thrower, two middle distance competitors and one long distance runner. This entry looks at two of them; the other two will feature next time.
19 year old Hammer thrower Charlotte Christian made a promising debut in Rhodes, where she finished in 8th place with a best throw of 30.92m. She also competed in the Shot Putt event, finishing 12th. Competing in her first Island Games definitely helped Charlotte to focus on what she wants to achieve and the standards required, and she has worked very hard since on both technique and fitness. Her Hammer pb has improved at regular intervals over the past couple of years, and now stands at 38.99m. Her target for this season of 40 metres plus is now tantalisingly close – will it come at the Games? It is hard to predict what the standard of competition will be in Aland, but the bronze medal in Rhodes was won with a throw of 36.53m. Charlotte will have her work cut out though, as her team mate Marit Zahkna is aiming for 50 metres! It’s great to see such strength in the Isle of Man team in one of the throwing events - can we dare to dream that they will both get onto the podium?
Charlotte has been studying in Ormskirk for the past 2 years, and will be starting a course at Liverpool John Moores University this autumn. She has benefited greatly from the set-up at her club Liverpool Pembroke & Sefton AC, which has a strong tradition in the throwing events. Her initial introduction to the club was through the late Merrik Bousfield, who did so much to help Manx throwers over several years and was part of the management and coaching team for the Shetland Games in 2005. Merrik is still fondly remembered by all who knew him and he would be proud of the progress Charlotte has made over the past 2 years. Charlotte puts plenty back into athletics too, always willing to help out with officiating and coaching young athletes, and she deserves to be successful. I hope she is part of the Manx athletics scene for many years to come.
One of the most successful junior athletes the Isle of Man has produced in recent years is 17 year old Gemma Astin. Since getting involved with athletics about 5 years ago, Gemma’s achievements at both middle distance track running and cross country have been too numerous to list in a couple of paragraphs. Some of my favourite memories of Manx athletics over the past 3 or 4 years have been the performances of Gemma and her younger sister Sarah in the big cross country events in the UK, where they have both regularly achieved very high placings against the best athletes in the country in their age groups. Gemma has also been Lancashire age group champion several times on both track and country. The highlight of her career to date must be gaining selection for the Commonwealth Youth Games in India last autumn, where she contested the 3000m event. Prior to travelling to India she did an interview with me for the Manx Harriers website – this is still online at http://www.manxathletics.com/manxharriers/mhgemmaastin.htm.
Gemma made an outstanding Island Games debut in Rhodes at the age of 15, finishing 6th in the 1500m and 5th in the 5000m in times that would have won medals in nearly every previous Games. Her time of precisely 18 minutes in the 5000m race was astonishing and she ran with a maturity far beyond her years. She is entered for the same 2 events in Aland. Over the past few months a succession of niggling injury and illness problems have resulted in the first real dip in form of Gemma’s career, and she cannot be expected to perform to the same level in Aland as she did in Rhodes 2 years ago. But regardless of what happens in Aland – and she will give it her all, as she always does – I have every confidence that Gemma will go on to become a fine senior athlete, probably in the distance events.
The next entry will feature two athletes at opposite ends of the age spectrum (!) – Rachael Franklin and Gail Griffiths.
Charlotte has been studying in Ormskirk for the past 2 years, and will be starting a course at Liverpool John Moores University this autumn. She has benefited greatly from the set-up at her club Liverpool Pembroke & Sefton AC, which has a strong tradition in the throwing events. Her initial introduction to the club was through the late Merrik Bousfield, who did so much to help Manx throwers over several years and was part of the management and coaching team for the Shetland Games in 2005. Merrik is still fondly remembered by all who knew him and he would be proud of the progress Charlotte has made over the past 2 years. Charlotte puts plenty back into athletics too, always willing to help out with officiating and coaching young athletes, and she deserves to be successful. I hope she is part of the Manx athletics scene for many years to come.
One of the most successful junior athletes the Isle of Man has produced in recent years is 17 year old Gemma Astin. Since getting involved with athletics about 5 years ago, Gemma’s achievements at both middle distance track running and cross country have been too numerous to list in a couple of paragraphs. Some of my favourite memories of Manx athletics over the past 3 or 4 years have been the performances of Gemma and her younger sister Sarah in the big cross country events in the UK, where they have both regularly achieved very high placings against the best athletes in the country in their age groups. Gemma has also been Lancashire age group champion several times on both track and country. The highlight of her career to date must be gaining selection for the Commonwealth Youth Games in India last autumn, where she contested the 3000m event. Prior to travelling to India she did an interview with me for the Manx Harriers website – this is still online at http://www.manxathletics.com/manxharriers/mhgemmaastin.htm.
Gemma made an outstanding Island Games debut in Rhodes at the age of 15, finishing 6th in the 1500m and 5th in the 5000m in times that would have won medals in nearly every previous Games. Her time of precisely 18 minutes in the 5000m race was astonishing and she ran with a maturity far beyond her years. She is entered for the same 2 events in Aland. Over the past few months a succession of niggling injury and illness problems have resulted in the first real dip in form of Gemma’s career, and she cannot be expected to perform to the same level in Aland as she did in Rhodes 2 years ago. But regardless of what happens in Aland – and she will give it her all, as she always does – I have every confidence that Gemma will go on to become a fine senior athlete, probably in the distance events.
The next entry will feature two athletes at opposite ends of the age spectrum (!) – Rachael Franklin and Gail Griffiths.
what a good idea,and very good write ups obviously I maybe biased as charlotte was one of the first to be featured,but it will give people an insight in to the team.well done and thanks for taking your time to do it.
ReplyDeletewendy christian