LWAC - GBR vs Italy vs Spain - Report

Lincoln Wellington Athletic Club (LWAC)
© LWAC 2000-2002 - last updated 09 July 2002

GBR vs Italy vs Spain
Gorizia, Italy
6 July 2002

Lincoln Wellington's Rachael Nathan defied sizzling weather conditions to register an outstanding winning performance in an under 20 international competition at Gorizia in Italy. Competing for the Great Britain and Northern Ireland team for the third time after two winning appearances last season the sixteen year old was faced on this occasion by the best young athletes from Spain and Italy. And whilst the sprinters in the British squad were enjoying the hot weather the mid-eighties temperature was no help at all to Nathan who was competing over her main distance of 3000 metres. After a steady opening 200 metres the Wellington athlete was not happy with the pace and went to the front. She was soon well clear and despite a belated effort from one of the Italian girls the Lincoln youngster was still a decisive 30 metres ahead at the line with the clock stopping at 9.41.75 This was a tremendous achievement in a quality field several of whom competed with distinction at the World cross country championships at Dublin earlier in the year. It was made all the more meritorious in that Nathan does not join the under 20 age group until next track season when she will have a further three years before moving into the senior ranks. Her next target is to attempt to retain her English Schools intermediate girls 3000m title at Saturday's Schools Championships at Nottingham. If successful there she should then represent England Schools in a home countries international meeting in Glasgow the following weekend.

The in form Matt Bowser also received the call from the national selectors and he deservedly made his track debut in a Great Britain vest. After consulting with his partner in the 1500m, the number one rated under 20 athlete Derek Watson, and also with the approval of team management, the decision was made to attack the qualifying time of 3.45 for the forthcoming World Junior Championships.. Unfortunately the searing heat and some slightly ambitious early pacemaking both took their toll in the closing stages and Bowser had to settle for 4th place in a very creditable time of 3.51.84.. He did have the consolation of taking the scalp of the British number one who finished 6th and his selection was fully justified by this performance.

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