Athletics alumni excel at first open competition of the year

As Oaklands celebrates its 100th year anniversary, the success of its sports academies are still very much a focal point of the college’s achievements. 

Oaklands Wolves Athletics alumni excelled at the first open competition of the year this weekend, as the academy travelled to Lee Valley Athletics Centre to hone their skills and set their first timings of the year.

Mia McIntosh, a Level 3 student studying the National Foundation in Sports Coaching & Development, took an early charge against former international senior Angelita Broadbent-Blake, in the 60-metre hurdles. By hurdle three, Mia had settled into a fast rhythm to hold off the senior athlete, setting a new personal best (PB) of 8.46 seconds to take the UK lead. Her PB time was faster than last year’s top U20 women, highlighting the fantastic development and tutorship of Athletics Academy coach Jake Awe. Mia’s event wasn’t finished there, she would return 90 minutes later to improve on her time, shaving 0.04 seconds from her original PB and finishing second to the former senior international.

Mia’s impressive performance meant she became the second fastest 16-year-old in British history and has immediately caught the attention of Team GB selectors as she sits second in the UK Rankings outright.

It was then the turn of the Men’s athletes to shine when Emmanuel Duruiheoma, who is coached by Head of Academy Ryan Freckleton, surged out of the blocks to improve on his previous PB of 6.96 seconds to set a new fastest time of 6.83 seconds, clinching third place in what would prove to be the fastest race of Round 1. In Round 2, Emmanuel’s impressive speed was rewarded with a reseeding into the elite race, where he would again rise to the occasion placing joint-first with a 6.80 second race. Emmanuel’s performances places him second on the UK Under 20s rankings and fourth in the UK outright.

There were also positive gains for the Development Squad, with all six male and female athletes setting new PBs. Abigail Ekajeh ran a 8.33 in the 60m, Arantxa Middleton an 8.39, Jamila Lacerda an 8.41 and Janiya Georgen an 9.41. Both Clayton Jacinto and Jack Raine also set PBs with a 7.20 and 39.12 second race in their respective disciplines.

For both students and staff at Oaklands College all focus now turns to the Association of Colleges Indoor Championships, which will mark the midpoint before heading off to the English Championships later in the year.