Story By Bjorn Jansen
Arriving at a major championship always raises a coach's question: Did we get the timing right for the athletes to perform? Months of planning, countless training sessions, and fine-tuning every detail have led to this moment.
Amelia Barnes (Hercules), Beatrice Eminson (Hercules), and Tommy Crosara's (Hercules) path to indoor nationals was set by progress throughout the indoor season, setting personal bests along the way.
The stage was set. In one of the most competitive environments as a junior athlete, Amelia, Beatrice, and Tommy embraced the opportunity and stepped onto the track in Sheffield for their first Indoor Nationals, ready to deliver. They have worked hard; now, it's time to trust the process, rise to the occasion, and enjoy the experience.
On Saturday, Tommy (13) stormed to the U15 300m final, securing a silver medal with a superb personal best of 37.76. This outstanding time places him 2nd in the UK and 25th on the U15 all-time indoor rankings.
Sunday saw another impressive display, this time in the 200m. Tommy shattered his personal best by four-tenths in the heats, clocking 23.55 to secure his spot in the final. He fought hard in a competitive race, finishing fourth. His time now ranks him 5th in the UK.
Amelia (14) set a personal best of 8.32 in the U15 60m, a strong performance that now ranks her 38th in the UK. This result reflects her hard work and dedication to her training throughout the indoor season. With each race, she continues to refine her technique and build her race experience against top competition. Amelia’s focus now shifts to the Surrey Indoor Championships in March, where she will build on this momentum and push for another personal best. Watch Amelia's race here.
Beatrice (13) delivered an outstanding performance in the U15 800m, setting a 2-second indoor personal best (2:21.89), a clear sign of her progress this season. Unfortunately, Beatrice was later DQ for lane infringement; the race demonstrated her competitive mindset. Every championship experience provides valuable lessons to help her grow as an athlete. Beatrice has shown remarkable resilience and determination, and she will have another opportunity to showcase her talent next week at Lee Valley, where she will aim to build on this momentum. Keep pushing forward, Beatrice – exciting races ahead! Watch Beatrice's race here.
All three athletes performed at the right time for their first indoor nationals, a fantastic achievement for Beatrice, Amelia, and Tommy. Well done.
