NORTH Somerset AC came out in force at the sports hall championships and many outstanding performances produced.

NORTH Somerset AC came out in force at the sports hall championships and many outstanding performances produced.

Bristol Grammar School was the venue of the secondary schools trials. A record attendance saw around 300 athletes taking part. North Somerset athletes proved their worth with the girls stealing the show.

Proving winter training under Steve Hollier is already paying dividends, Katie Grinyer won the six-lap race, with team mates Angharad Flower and Chloe Buck second and third. These three also turned in creditable performances in their chosen field event.

Following time trials in the four-lap race, Backwell's Shannon Holloway came away victorious in a time of 59.4, also competing over four-lap was Hannah Godfrey finishing third in her heat 62.1. Both girls also competed in the speed bounce and finished sixth and second respectively.

Esther Shallcross and Dani Fisher competed well in the shot and two-lap race.

With the high jump available, Anicia Skeates turned her attentions to the standing triple jump and won with ease with a huge jump of 6.80m and followed this up with second place in the final of the two-lap sprint.

Under-13 female athlete of the match was awarded to Worle's Sophie Thomas. Sophie in outstanding form claimed victory in both the two-lap sprint and speed bounce.

The Under-13 boys had a mixed morning with Kieran Manning providing the best results - first place in the speed bounce and an excellent four-lap run of 54.7 placed him second overall.

Behind Kieran in the speed bounce was Will Binnington second, Gareth Brock fifth, Sam Hewitt ninth, Connor Fairclough 13th and Aidan Smith 18th.

Kody Mortimer and Corey Davis both tried out for the six-lap race turning in times of 1.30.8 and 1.31.9 respectively.

The Under-15s boys were led by James Lawrence, who after victories in the two-lap, standing long jump and standing triple jump was awarded male athlete of the match. James also finished overall first in the all-rounder competition.

Other NSAC athletes also competing were Josh Bray ninth overall, Jordan Allen 11th, Joe Smith first in the shot and 12th overall and Andy Golledge first in the speed bounce and 15th overall.

Under-15 girls were outstanding with Rosie Parsons judged to be first overall, with Tasha Osgood third.- a joint first place in the two-lap sprint being her highlight of the morning.

Rebecca Abbott secured first place in the vertical jump, second in the standing long jump and a third place in the two-lap sprint completed a fine morning.

Francesca Allen achieved a second place in the speed bounce and 7th in the shot to achieve an overall 8th place.

UK silver medallist from last year, Emma Smith proved she is still untouchable in the speed bounce winning the event with 87 jumps. This victory was judged to be the best performance of the morning and won Emma Under-15 athlete of the match.

At the time of writing this article, the following athletes had been selected for the Avon Sports Hall Squad: Sophie Thomas, Katie Grinyer, Anicia Skeates, Shannon Holloway, Kieran Manning, Rosie Parsons, Tasha Osgood, Rebecca Abbott, Emma Smith and James Lawrence.

The Primary School trials were dominated by NSAC, outstanding performances on the day from Ada'ora Chigbo, Pippa Reilly and Aidan Paul gave coach Chris Millard much to smile about.

The following athletes have been selected to compete in the South West Championships - Avon Stormers: Luke Billingsley, Nathan Moore, Luke Osgood, Jessie Dadds, Evan King, Lucy Baker, Maddy Starzak, Alys Withers and Ellie Bray.

Avon Crusaders: Aidan Paul, Lucas Mortimer, Henry Hoult, Liam Watson, Declan Walters, Ed Moss, Pippa Reilly, Lily Fowler, Abi Roach, Ada'ora Chigbo, Sofie Andersen, Sarah Page, Ellie Wallace, Beth Fisher.

FOLLOWING her success at the recent Avon Sports Hall trials, Year 7 Worle student Sophie Thomas made the four hour round trip to the High Performance Centre in Birmingham.

This outing was to be a real test of her winter training regime under head coach and mentor Chris Millard. The day started well with a first round victory in the Under-13 girls 60m in a personal best time of 8.71 seconds.

After a two hour break, Sophie returned for round two, this time against stronger opposition. Showing grit and determination, she held her form and was judged equal first in an improved personal best of 8.53 seconds.

This time places Sophie third in the UK rankings, and first in the South West.

Fellow Worle student Ash Pierson also made the trip to Birmingham. He achieved a time of 7.50 in round one, but bettered this time by winning round two in a new PB of 7.40.

These performances will stand Ash in good stead for the South West Championships held next month.