THE track and field athletics season may be in recess, but for some members of Bromley Athletics Club there has been more than just Christmas to celebrate recently.

Indicative of a hugely successful 2001 season, five of the club's star youngsters achieved highly prestigious national top 20 rankings.

Amy Gibbs, who competes at under-13 level, attained third place in the rankings in both the 70 metres hurdles and 75m sprint. She was also rated seventh best in the 200 metres.

The multi-talented Layla Hawkins missed a number of under-15 meetings through injury, but she still won the South of England Indoor Pentathlon Championship.

However, her enforced absence meant she missed an outdoor pentathlon ranking.

Despite winning the Young Athletes' British Ancillary 100 metres final in a dazzling 11.84 seconds subsequently rounded up to 11.9 Montell Douglas was ranked third in the under-17 category. She was also listed fifth-best in the 200 metres and fourth in the under-20 section of the 100 metres.

Two of Bromley AC's boys also made significant progress during 2001.

Robert Bain was ranked fourth in the three-kilometre walk at under-15 level, while Rob Wallace was rated 10th in the triple jump in the same age section.

A club spokesman said: "To have so many highly-placed athletes in the national rankings reflects on them as individuals, their coaches, and the club as a whole.

"It was particularly satisfying to have two boys in the top 20 lists.

"We are all very proud of them and the other athletes who helped Bromley to a highly successful 2001 and enhanced the club's growing

reputation.

"We have stacks of others who are making tremendous progress and we already eagerly looking forward to shaking off the winter cobwebs and enjoying another fantastic season in 2002."

If you would like more details of Bromley AC, which trains at Norman Park, visit their website at: www.bromleyathletrics.com or call

020 8462 1965.

December 31, 2001 10:30