The Ron Pickering Memorial Fund has made its selection for the Young Athletes of the Year in the Under 18, Under 20 and Under 23 Age Groups for the 2019 Season. These Awards are presented each year at the England Athletics Hall of Fame and Volunteer Awards Evening, which was held on October 12th in Birmingham.
As both Ron and Jean Pickering have been inducted into the England Athletics Hall of Fame, it is always a special evening at which to represent the RPMF, and to recognize the many Volunteers which our sport could not survive without. It is always made more special by the fact that the RPMF has been the beneficiary of the proceeds from the Raffle held on the night each year and we are forever grateful for this.
The Young Athletes of the Year were as follows:
Under 18: Amy Hunt
17 year old Amy won the European U20 200m title in Boras, Sweden and earlier in the year set a World U18 record of 22.42 in Mannheim which also put her 3rd on the UK all-time senior list behind only Dina Asher Smith and Kathy Cook! Amy was also the England Athletics U20 winner at 60m and 100m.
Under 20: Josh Zeller
Josh comfortably won the European U20 110m Hurdles title (by 2 m) in Boras in a season when he was unbeaten in 21 races—including winning the England Athletics U20 titles indoors and out.
Under 23: Jemma Reekie
Jemma won both the 800m and 1500m for a unique GB double at the European U23’s in Gavle. She also qualified for the British team for the World Championships in Doha, alongside her training partner Laura Muir.
Unfortunately Josh was not able to receive the trophy on the night, as he has recently enrolled at the University of Michigan on a Sports Scholarships, but we have promised to send the trophy to his home for when he gets back for Christmas holidays.
Congratulations to all three athletes and to all the Volunteers that were recognized for their service and accomplishments on the night, and to all those inducted into the England Hall of Fame, to join Ron and Jean.
