Club Champions

The Walton AC Senior and U20 awards evening is back this year and will be combined with the annual middle distance training group Christmas celebrations on Thursday December 20th (Jack’s group, but welcoming all senior and U20 athletes this year!). This will be held in the multi-function room, upstairs in the stand at Waterside Drive – there will be a cold buffet at a cost of £10 per head and the bar open for buying drinks. The event is sponsored by the Walton AC committee to cover the venue hire and part of the buffet cost.

Buffet and awards celebrations will take place on December 20th from 20:00, with some festive time trial events replacing usual training on the track beforehand. More details to follow.

For those who haven’t been to an awards night before or for a while, there are a number of different club trophies, with awards across age groups, track and cross country, based on a combination of performance and contribution to the WAC team during the season.

If you would like to join, please let Jo know (including any dietary requirements) by e-mail before December 6th to allow confirmation of the numbers for catering (joannelocker@yahoo.co.uk – £10 cash on the night).

If you are still in the possession of a Walton AC senior or under 20’s award, please contact either Jo or Bernhard.

We look forward to seeing you on the evening,

SUDDERICK SCOOPS TOP AWARD

In front of over 100 people at the Xcel Sports Hub, the club recognised the outstanding sporting achievements of its Junior athletes for the 2016/17 season.

George Sudderick was announced as the winner of the Victor Ludorum Award, for the best overall male performer of the year.

George remained unbeaten all season at 300 metres, winning the Surrey Champs, Surrey Schools, South East Schools Inter Counties, English Schools, South of England and the England Champs.

He broke the European Age 13 Best and finished the season ranked number one in the UK and moved to number 8 on the All Time Rankings.

The Cross Country award went to three young ladies (Emma Horsey, Rachel Pharaoh & Charlotte Vaughan) for their outstanding bronze medal performance at the English Cross Country Relay Championships held in Mansfield last November.

Charlotte Maxwell and Amy van der Westhuizen jointly won the under 13 girls’ award. Amy was rewarded this year with her first Surrey vest. Multiple Surrey medalist Jasmine de la Touche won the under 15 girls’ award, and Nicola Bell, who represented Surrey at this year’s English Schools Championships where she placed a credible fifth, took the honours in the under 17 women’s category.

Sam Mace was run away winner of the under 17 men’s age group award. Sam once again had another outstanding year where he gained his first England vest, and represented England in the Schools International in Dublin. Joint under 15 Boys’
winner Tyler Panton was another to set the track alight this season and set sprinting standards the club has never seen before. Newcomer Finn Punton took the under 13 boys’ award after a great first season at the club.

Club Chairman Jack Rutherford, who presented the main awards, said:

“The overall standard this season was unbelievable. It is uplifting to see the immense talent in the junior section of the club, and to see their determination and passion being reflected by their superb results. Congratulations to all the athletes in this room on their achievements.”

“Congratulations and thanks are also due to the coaches, team managers, officials and helpers, without whom the club couldn’t exist”

Full list of winners:

Cross Country:
Winners – Emma Horsey, Rachel Paraoh & Charlotte Vaughan
Joint Runners Up – Ben Fitzpatrick & Ben Marks
Most Improved – Ben Palmer

Best Newcomers of the Year:
Phoebe Schofield & Ollie Emment

Youth Development League Awards:
Under 13 Emma Fisher & Christopher Vaughan
Under 15 Lani Cardwell & Jack Gemmell
Under 17 Darby Begley-Jones & Tom Cursons

Age Group Championship Awards:
Under 13 Girls
First = Charlotte Maxwell & Amy van der Westhuizen
Third: Emma Fisher

Under 13 Boys
First: Finn Punton
Second: Ollie Emment
Third: Christopher Vaughan

Under 15 Girls
First: Jasmine de la Touche
Second: Emma Horsey
Third: Georgia Russell

Under 15 Boys
First = Tyler Panton & George Sudderick
Third: Rueben Leyland

Under 17 Women
First: Nicola Bell
Second: Charlotte Vaughan
Third: Rachel Pharaoh

Under 17 Men
First: Sam Mace
Second: Ben Marks
Third: Josef Hubbard

Victor Ludorum Award: George Sudderick

Congratulations to all this years winners!