Club Athlete of the Year 2000 - Jo Larkin

Jo Larkin joined the Club as an 11 year old and has been competing virtually every year since, barring a short time off to have a baby in 1998. In the rankings for 1989 Jo appears in six events and a relay, her best event being the high jump with 1.30m. In 1990 Jo topped the rankings for 75m hurdles, high jump and long jump. In 1991 she appeared in no less than eleven events ranking top in the 75m hurdles and high jump, second in the 100m, 200m, long jump and pentathlon and third in the 800m and 1500m as well as competing in the shot, discus and relay. In 1992 as an U17 Jo had dropped the middle distance events to concentrate on sprints and jumps where she topped the 100m hurdles list and was second in the high jump. 1993 was another busy year with ten events and a relay to her name. Top rankings were in the 100m and all three hurdles distances of 80m, 100m and 400m. 1994 was similar topping the 100m hurdles and 400m hurdles and second in the long jump and high jump. Only seven events in 1995 with second place rankings in 100m hurdles, 400m hurdles, long jump, high jump and triple jump. 1996 was a lean year but Jo was back to the top of the high jump rankings in 1997 having now settled down to just four regular events. 1998 was a year out for the baby but Jo was back in 1999 to top the 100m hurdles and high jump rankings once again and second in the triple jump. 2000 was Jo's thirteenth year of competition for the Club and she topped the rankings once again in the 100m hurdles and high jump, quite a record. There is more to Jo Larkin, though, as she is also a qualified coach for high jump and the Pacesetters where she regularly helps Chris Phillips with our up and coming youngsters. Jo now works for the Borough Council promoting athletics in local schools and is often involved in running sports sessions in the school holidays. Club athletes do not come any better than our Jo and it was very much deserved that she should be voted Club Athlete of the Year for 2000 by you the members.

Back to Home Page