SWINDON Harriers’ Hannah Lewington has been called up to make her international debut for England this weekend.

The 16-year-old Swindon Harriers javelin thrower was named in a 20-strong squad for the Vaxjo Indoor Throwing competition, in Sweden, on Saturday (MARCH 4th).

“I was so happy and honoured to be selected for England and have wanted this for a long time,” said Lewington.

“I have been training really hard over the winter and focussing on my technical throwing but also strength and conditioning, flexibility and balance and I feel in good shape to compete.

“I am hoping to throw a long way.”

Announcing the team England Athletics Event Group Lead for Throws, Nick Ridgeon, said: “Congratulations to all of the selected throwers, their personal coaches and support teams,” said Nick Ridgeon,

“The team is comprised of throwers hoping to be selected for the Commonwealth Youth Games, as well as the European under 20 and under 23 championships this summer.”

Meanwhile, Harriers coach John Dill has paid tribute to his athletes Fletcher Hart and Ella Spencer after their impressive performances at the 135th Saucony English ‘National’ Cross Country Championships at Bolesworth Castle, Chester.

Racing the event for the third time in his short career, Hart ran superbly to place 13th in the U17 men’s race while Spencer, in only her third race of the year following injury, was 25th in the U15 girls’ race.

“Fletcher was amazing,” said Dill. “He paced his effort so well, and that was a terrific run.

“Ella is right back on it after that injury and is really getting into good shape again.”

Also in the U17 women’s race, Eloise Foster finished 50th while Faith Herring was 173rd.

Harry Woods also made the top 100 in the U15 boys and Alex Leake was a solid 104th in a highly competitive U13s race. Jack Gunning will take encouragement from his 86th position in the U20 men’s race.

The Byrne family had a pretty good day. Simon and big brother Luke were the first two Harriers to the finish line in the senior men’s race as the team finished 26th overall and little Finley, son of Simon, was flying the flag in the U13 boys’ event.

For 34-year-old Simon, individually, it was a career best 68th while Luke, who recently turned 40, also enjoyed a best-ever 212th.

“It was a massive run for me to get into the top 100 for the first time, so I’m chuffed to bits,” said Simon.

Following Simon and Luke, Ben Lines, Matt Woodward and Courtenay Chessell all packed really well and the scoring was then completed by Paul Cox with Sebastian Reynold pushing him hard.

“The team did brilliantly,” added Simon. “For a club of our size to be competing against much bigger city clubs is a real achievement.”

Competing at the Welsh Championships in Brecon Chloe Powell of the Harriers finished a career-best 11th in the senior women’s race.

Several Harriers notched up personal bests in the February Winter Throws Series promoted by the club.

Ellie Charlesworth recorded PBs in the U13s shot (6.07m) and javelin (24.61m) while in the U13 boys javelin George Bull threw a PB of 20.59m.

Sister Lucy Bull was also in PB form with the javelin (31.84m) with Laila-Jae Belgrave just behind her (21.63m), also a PB.

There were also two PBs for U17 athlete Ted Hiscock – who is still only 14 – in the discus (24.85m) and javelin (34.25m).

After the meeting, it was also stressed that the club needs help with staging further throws events and anyone who could help is asked to have a chat with either Kieran Golding, Alan Brown or Ray Bell.