In spite of the cool, breezy conditions there was a feast of athletics in the Norfolk AA championships at the Wellesley, Great Yarmouth.

In spite of the cool, breezy conditions there was a feast of athletics in the Norfolk AA championships at the Wellesley, Great Yarmouth.

There were a number of outstanding performances. Harriet Lucas led the way, setting three sprint records in the 100m, 200m and 300m. Her times of 24.8 secs in the under 17 200m and 40.4 secs in the 300m would stand her in good stead in any national competition this year.

Sam Coe is probably the only athlete to set records in two different age groups. He won the junior men's hammer event with an outstanding throw of 58.65m as well as winning the shot and discus. Just for good measure he managed to set a fine senior men's record of 53. 07m. It is a shame that Sam attends a school outside Norfolk as he could well be a medalist in the English Schools event in July. He will have to represent another county.

On the track, new schools cross country international James Robinson from West Norfolk, beat last year's junior boys national champion James Senior in the under 17 800m. James was rewarded with a new county record of 1 min 57.6 secs. Robinson also had a good win in the 3000m.

Chris Baker produced an excellent high jump of 1.94m to beat a record going back to 1985 in the under 17 age group. Rick Ward won in a sprint finish with the English Schools cross country champion Mitch Goose in the under 20 800m and recorded a time of 1:55.6.

Rachael Stringer started her season with a good 400m in 58.5 secs while in the under 17 age group Claire Pring had a great solo run in the 3000m, recording a time of 10 mins 20.1 secs.

Not to be outdone, Megan Boon from Ryston had an outstanding hammer throw of 42.09m in the under 20 age group to set yet another record. The hammer performances have been outstanding in spite of the fact that there are few places to throw in the county.

There were some displays in the younger age groups. The top performance came from the very promising Laura MacDonald in the under 13s with a shot put of 10.27m. She also had fine wins in the 200m and 70 m hurdles. Clieo Stephenson set an under 13 100m record of 13.1.secs while Michael Painter won the shot discus and hammer treble. In the under 15 age group Victoria Williamson won the 100m in 12.8 secs and the 75m hurdles in 11.8.

Jayne Clarke (Gazelles ) had her support for the county championships rewarded with a new veterans' record in the 5000m with a time of 17.52.7.

The second part of the county championships will be held tonight at Sportspark in Norwich and will feature the relays and 1500m events a well as the javelin.