Dani enjoys her international debut in Spain

Feb 14 2013 by Our Correspondent, Ormskirk Advertiser

MAKING her international debut in Spain, 17-year-old Dani McGifford (inset), the Rainford multi event athlete, helped the Great Britain pentathlon team to first place, by claiming fourth spot in the individual competition.

It was a really great experience,” she said, after touching down back in the UK.

“I wasn’t too nervous and I really enjoyed it.

“My performance in the hurdles means that I have received an invitation to run in the event in the European indoor trials, when I will be up against senior athletes. This will be more good experience.”

In the five disciplines in Valencia, McGifford equalled her personal best in the hurdles (8.62) and got very close in the 800m (2.32).

In the remaining field events she was slightly down on her very best recording 1.59m in the high jump, 8.90m for the shot and 5.60m in the long jump.

Meanwhile, Liverpool Pembroke Sefton went to Lancaster University for another Mid-Lancs Cross Country League match, writes Charles Gains.

Rosie Johnson was again in splendid form taking the Under 15 race and leading Anna Hulme(8), Charlotte Mawdsley(12), Corinne Mawdsley(13) and Jessica Gonzalez-Green(21) to team success. With one match to go they are assured of league victory, an age group the club has not won before.

Also in the medal hunt, albeit for bronze, are the U15 Boys who took second here. They were Jack Crook(7), Ben Singleton(10), Chris Webber(15) and Daniel Wright(17) with Max Cotterill(25) again in reserve.

Another complete team was the Senior Women who finished 10th.

The packing of Scarlett Collins(32), Bua Kalasiram(42) and Leia Bowes(45) was sufficient for tenth but they are in the hunt for medals in their division.

The incomplete teams were the U13 Girls, a fine run though from Morag Molyneux(4) plus Megan Barnsley(13) and Alex Barnsley(24) and the U13 Boys squad consisting of a strong Matt Richardson(4) plus Michael Croft(22) and Kieran Sillery(27). Solo runs came from Alex Dobrowolski(16th at U11) and Anna Forde (11th at U17 Women).

The Liverpool and District Championships were held over the traditional Clarke Gardens course.

In spite of some very rugged performances from Ian Roberts(13), Sammy Rashid(44), Chris Pedder(57), Graham Cairns(58), Rob Parkinson(73) and John Dobie(89) the club could only manage 8th team.

A far cry from the glory years when the club name engendered fear. The Maddog 10K event at the same time saw Kirsty Longley shine once more , 19th overall, second lady and first Over 35, in the very respectable time of 37.04. Matt Thompson 11th in 36.30 and Greg Callaghan 36th in 38.00 also competed..

Previously at the SportCity(Manchester) Indoor Meet Olympian Michael Rimmer emerged from winter training to run a very sharp 600m in 1.17.90 a new club record and with Nathan Hilton immediately in tow on 1.19.95.

Andrew Williams recorded 1.25.54. Danny Higham(22.80) and U20 Jesse Roberts(23.89) tested themselves over 200m but the really interesting part of the meeting was the emergence of three U15 starlets-in-the-making. At 60m Ella Barton(8.55), Evelyn Smalley(8.71) and Grace Fazakerley(8.99) were sharp and with both Ella (28.25) and Evelyn (28.72) looking even better at 200m. Evelyn also added a 4.21m long jump. Paralympian silver medallist Graeme Ballard started his season at 60m with a useful 8.12.