Write a commentMichael Johnson once said “Life is often compared to a marathon, but I think it is more like being a sprinter; long stretches of hard work punctuated by brief moments in which we are given the opportunity to perform at our best.”
One Newry AC athlete completed 2019 doing just that, punctuating 2019 with medal winning performances across Britain and Ireland. A fantastic achievement and just reward for Joanne McCauley who under the guidance of Kookie O’Hagan and the addition of sprint coach Brendan Murphy powered to National titles, British & Irish Nation Championship podiums and was also awarded with the opportunity to represent GB&NI at the European Masters Championships in Italy.
On top of filling up the medal cabinet Joanne finished 2019 securing overall British top 10 ranking performances, both indoors and out across multiple events and age categories clocking 8.93 over 60m & 68.82 over 400m indoors. A PB of 67.18 was also secured over 400m at the European Championships.
Joanne’s medal haul included Double Gold in the NI Masters over 100m & 200m, Silver in the long jump and Bronze in the High Jump. The medals didn’t end there with McCauley picking up the All Ireland Irish Nation Long Jump title alongside Silver in the 400m. Not content with being one of the top athletes on the island Joanne also claimed Silver in the British Masters Athletics Championship in Birmingham.
2020 will no doubt continue to deliver national and international success for the Newry AC athlete with winter training in full flow as Joanne prepares to lace up the spikes at the Scottish Open championships in Glasgow at the end of January alongside many club team mates.
