First indoor event at Emirates for Central

Jan 23 2013 by Donald Morton, Stirling Observer

A record 92 athletes turned out for Central AC as the indoor league moved to its new home at the magnificent new Emirates Arena in Glasgow.

And the athletes left with their heads held high as seven age groups earned the right to return for the grand final next month.

The under 11 boys completed a clean sweep of wins with individual wins from Erik Escala (standing long jump, 1.85m), Innes Huckerby (600m, 2:02.2) and Connal Stephen (60mB 9.96s). Further excellent performances from Jack Haughton (second 60m, 9.40s), Ben Hughes, Luke Robertson, Rio Connolly, Callum Bowie and Charlie Robins saw all three Central teams in the top four places.

The under 13 girls also qualified as divisional champions with another win. Rachel Martin completed the season unbeaten in the shot with a new club record in every match taking it over 8m with 8.09m. Georgia Smith also completed an unbeaten run with a new personal best in the 60m hurdles (10.61s) and win in the high jump (1.40m).

The team had a record turnout for a single age group with further good performances from Abbie Davison (60m, fourth 9.20s, 200m, fourth 31.1s), Erin Potter (60m, 9.41s pb), Freya Walker (60m, 9.78s), Rachel Rennie (60m, 10.31s), Jenny Walls (800m, 2:45.5 4th), Heather Scott (800m, 2:46.7), Anisah McDonagh (800m), Ruby Simpson (800m), Shona Harrower (60m hurdles, fifth 12.46s pb), Lucy Smith (60m hurdles), Sian Scott-Angell (60m hurdles) , Katie Sharkey (200m, 32.0s PB), Skye Henderson (200m), Darcy Baxter (200m), Lucy Davison (high jump , fourth 1.25m pb), Florrie Howarth (high jump), Rachel Methven (long jump, 3.54m pb), Elizabeth Thompson (long jump), Leah Trevis(shot) and Anna McCarry(shot) completing the huge winning line up.

Also qualifying as champions were the under 15 girls. Caitlin Edgar completed a clean sweep of wins with a big personal best 60m hurdles (9.47s) for a clear win and 4.69m to win the long jump. However the performance of the day came from Emily Watson who was attempting her first ever 300m.

She stormed round the track and pulled away from the field to win in an impressive 45.2s to show what potential she has at her new event. Bevhan Trevis took second in the shot (8.01m), Jessica Stitt third at high jump (1.40m) and Kate Gallagher sixth at 800m 2:39.5. Madeleine Woods (60m, 9.17s), Abbie Douglas (60m, 9.29s), Evie Gallagher (800m 2:41.3), Jodie Currie (800m), Lauryn Turnbull (300m), Tallulah Armstrong (high jump) and Eilidh Smith (long jump) helped bring home the divisional title.

The under 17 women finished joint top on the day and joint champions with second places from Lydia Simpson (60m, 8.26s pb), Sarah Pearson (60m hurdles, 9.47s and 300m, 43.4s) along with good finishes from Sophie Parsons (60m hurdles, fourth 9.69s pb), Emma Boyle (300m, fourth 45.7s), Emily Batchelor (long jump, 4.60m), Amy Gullen and Roisin Bonucchi (both high jump , 1.45m), Anna Thomson (200m , 29.0s) and Shamsa Scott-Angell (long jump) who saw the team through to the final.

The under 17 men came close to winning the division overall with another hurdles win from Tom Chandler setting his third club record of the season with 9.35s. A win for Mark Guthrie in the shot (12.29m) and good finishes from Ewan Corbett who just missed the club record at 400m (3rd 55.3s), Lewis McGuire (second high jump 1.70m PB) and Daniel Polatajko (200m, third 24.6s) along with good performances from Iain Davies (800m, 2:10.5 PB), Liam Halliday, Kalim McDonagh, Kieran Potter, Euan Lambert and Ben McGuire saw the team win the match on the day to qualify comfortably for the final.

The under 15 boys booked their place in the final after excellent wins from Charlie Dineen (60m hurdles ,9.35s) and Cameron McCorgray (high jump, 1.60m) along with second for Jamie Price (400m, 60.3s). Further points came from Keiran Halliday (60m, 8.50s PB), Fraser McPherson (60m, 8.61s), Cameron Hawthorn (60m, 8.63s), Conor Ryan (800m, 2:36.2), Sam Polatajko (200m, 29.9s) and Jack Houghton (shot, 6.93m) for third on the day for joint second overall.

The under 11 girls were unlucky not to reach the final after winning on the day with excellent performances from Lucy McRea (first, Standing Long Jump B 1.80m), Shona McLay (second 600m B 2:11.5), Lucy MacKenzie (second Standing Long Jump 1.66m), Jessica Turnbull, Beth Elliot, Mieke Kalmijn, Maisie Duncan and Rebecca Hogg to win the match but finish an unlucky 4th place in the league overall just one point short of the third place required to reach the final.

Also unlucky were the under 13 boys with fine performances from Matt Chandler (first 60m, hurdles 11.09s; second, shot 6.80m), Euan Smith (third, 60m, 9.17s) and Ross McCorgray (fourth, 60m 9.18s). Further performances from Euan Dale, Aaron Taylor, Alex Jamieson, Daniel Robins, Ben Parkinson, Scott Gracie, Oscar Armstrong and Callum Robertson saw the team finish a season’s best second on the day for fourth place in the league one point short of a final place.

The Under 20 women were in a good position going into the final match but it almost unravelled as illness struck down all the available team members. With a potential no show on the cards Chloe McGregor accepted a late call up and turned out to win the 60m hurdles along with a PB 60m (8.63s) and further good finishes at 200m and long jump were enough to single handedly earn the points the team needed to qualify for the final. Chloe’s hurdles win completed a near clean sweep for Central AC’s hurdlers as they dominated the event with wins in six age groups and another runner up spot.

Maciej Mionskowski made his Central AC debut in the under 20 mens 800m to complete the record turnout.

With seven teams through to the next month’s final and the 4x200 relays to look forward to for every age group hopefully the club can improve on its 11 medals and third place finish last year.