COLCHESTER Harriers boasted five athletes at the prestigious Under-17 and Under-15 National Championships at Bedford International Stadium.

To qualify, each athlete must attain the required England Athletics entry standard time or distance during the competition year.

The opening day of action saw first year under-17 men’s sprinter Mufaro Shava compete in the 100 metres opening heat.

Despite a performance which saw him race against some of the fastest lads in the country and running into a testing head wind, Shava finished seventh in a quick heat, just missing out on a place in the semis.

Jake Young has a haul of county and regional titles to his name this season, with gold medal wins at the Essex and Eastern Championships, South of England indoor Championships, the Essex Schools Championships, as well as a recent Silver at the South of England Outdoor Championships.

However, he found himself boxed in during a tough, tactical 800m heat and was unable to make up ground, so did not progress through to the final.

Against increasingly blustery conditions, Jed Asamota, another young talent to watch out for as he moves into his second year as an under-17 sprinter, took on his favourite distance the 400m to finish a creditable sixth place in his heat.

Rebecca Jeggo, whose form has continued to impress this season with an impressive clutch of county and regional medals as well as a place on the Essex team at the English Schools Championships, won her heat comfortably.

A finalist at this event last year, Jeggo was certainly one to watch.

A fast semi-final led her to an exciting final where despite placing sixth, a mere 0.11 seconds stood between her and a medal.

She finished the season ranked 12th in the country.

Charlie Dobson had nothing to lose by going all out in a very tough heat in the under-17 men’s 200m, on his National Championships debut.

Despite a poor start, Dobson finished a very creditable fourth place, just missing out on the final.

His disappointment was short-lived though after he rewarded himself with a valuable PB and new club record of 22.53 seconds.

Coach Steve Garnham should be delighted with his work this year with both Jeggo and Dobson, as they now move up to under-20 level.

Harriers sprinter Callum McKay also qualified for the championships but was unable to compete in the 100m due to injury.