Mayo Young Sports Stars: Amazing year for a number of athletes

Last year was such a good one in athletics that there are three award winners in this category in The Connaught Telegraph Mayo Young Sports Stars Awards.

First up is Freya Renton of Westport AC. The list of her achievements is incredible. Some of the many highlights of her year included individual and team gold while running for Ireland in the Celtic International Cross-Country run in Leeds; individual and team gold in the All-Ireland Schools Cross-Country Intermediate Girls event; and individual gold and team silver while running for Ireland in the Schools International Cross-Country Championships Intermediate Girls event in Falkirk.

Other key moments for Freya were new championship record times in a number of events – the Tailteann Games Intermediate Girls Outdoor 3,000m, the National Outdoor Under 16 1,500m, the National Indoor Under 16 800m, and the National Indoor Under 16 1,500m. It truly was a year to remember.

Roxane Sands of Moy Valley AC, Ballina, had quite the year too. The Bofeenaun native has established herself as a top-tier athlete, particularly in cross country and middle-distance running. Roxane has consistently placed on the podium in national cross country events, securing silver in Under 14 girls 3,000m and bronze in the Under 15 girls 3,500m at last year's National Cross Country Championships. She also helped her club to second place in the Under 14 mixed 4 x 500m run at the National Juvenile Inter-Club Relays.

Another Moy Valley athlete, Damien Moyles, went to the European Para Youth Games in Istanbul during summer and returned with gold in the T13 400m event, running a personal best time of 54.16 seconds, and also claimed silver in the 100m sprint. Damien's real victory is his spirit, however, as he has overcome the challenges to his vision that come with albinism and nystagmus, which he was born with, to define himself as a competitor and a champion.

These three greats will be recognised for their achievements at the gala awards event in Breaffy House Resort on March 13. Tickets for the event are available now. For details, contact Aiden Henry on (087) 658 2141 or aiden.henry@con-telegraph.ie.