Athletics: Great performances in Scottish championships

Sep 14 2011 by Jean Pedder, Stirling Observer Wednesday

IT was a perfect sunny day for the Central AC championships at Grangemouth with some fine performances as athletes vied for the honour of being club champion for the year.

The Under-15 girls event was always going to be a high standard with several national champions and medallists in the age group.

Dunblane's Sarah Pearson produced an excellent 75m hurdles display of 12.1s to take her to second on the Scottish rankings for the year then followed this up with a 1.43m High Jump (20th in Scotland) and 28.2s in the 200m for overall victory.

Scottish Schools sprint champion Lydia Simpson from Braco, competed well in the 100m (13.4s), 200m (28.0s) and Long Jump (4.35m) to take second in spite of a recent illness. Balfron's Emma Boyle produced personal bests in the 100m (13.6, 34th Scot), Long Jump (4.20m) and a big 300m PB (44.9s, 9th Scot) to take third overall. Anna Thomson entered the Scottish rankings in the Long Jump (4.30m, 49th) for 4th and RoisinBonucchi improved her ranking in the discus (20.89m, 16th).

The Under-13 girls also produced some high class performances with Dollar girl BevhanTrevis victorious with an excellent shot (7.21m), discus (19.28m, 5th Scot) and 200m (30.7s). Alva's Jessica Stitt leapt to sixth on the Scottish list with 1.35m in the High Jump along with good hurdling at 70m (13.6s, 19th Scot) and 200m (35.8s) distances to take second overall.

Caitlin Edgar, from Crieff, in her first competition at the club, went straight into the top 10 in Scotland at 70m hurdles with 12.9s and also entered the rankings at 100m (14.4s, 29th) and 200m (31.0s, 62nd) for 3rd overall. Also improving Scottish rankings were fourth placed Megan Ely (100m, 14.4s, 29th), 5th placed Erin Travers (High Jump 1.25m, 22nd) and sixth placed Emma Berrie (70m Hurdles 14.0s, 20th; Javelin, 14.4m, 20th) along with endurance athletes Catriona Laing (1500m, 5:31.1), Eilidh Russell (800m 2:44.8, 42nd) and Bethan Evans (800m 2:45.9, 44th).

The Under-11 girls was closely contested with Dunblane's Lucy Davison winning after an excellent display in the Long Jump (3.73m), High Jump (1.1m) and 100m (15.3s). Doune's Erin Clark was second with fine sprinting (100m, 15.2s; 200m, 32.0s) and Tillicoultry's Rachel-Kate Martin taking third with an excellent shot (6.28m). There was a good display in the 800m from Jennifer Walls (2:43.4) for fourth overall and Heather Scott (2:47.4) for fifth.

The Under-17 Womens age group was also closely contested with Bridge of Allan hurdler Kirsty Mitchell coming out on top with excellent PBS at 80m hurdles (13.0s, 9th Scot) and 300m hurdles (51.2s, 13th Scot). Clackmannan sprinter Kirsty Forsyth took runner up (200m, 27.8s; 300m, 43.48s). Agatha Williams-Kelly of Alloa took third with an excellent PB in the Shot (8.79m, 7th Scot) and discus (20.7m, 12th Scot). FarrenParkens lifted herself to 15th in Scotland in the 300m Hurdles (51.6s) for fourth.

Scottish Triple Jump champion, Louise Anderson of Gargunnock won the Under-20 women's age group with 4.82m at Long Jump and 10.01m at Triple Jump. Fallin teenager, Chloe McGregor was runner up.

The Under-15 boys also saw some excellent performances with Scottish pentathlon medallist Daniel Poltajko from Dunblane, clear winner with wins in the 100m (12.3s), 200m (25.3s) and a PB in the Long Jump (5.13m, 18th Scot). Jamie Paterson, also of Dunblane, was on fine form with a massive PB in the 800m (2:16.7, 28th Scot) and an excellent 400m (60.9s) for second place and Euan Lambert completed a Dunblane sweep of the top three places with fine sprinting (200m, 26.7s; 400m, 61.5s) and long jumping (4.46m).

Cameron McCorgray of Tillicoultry came into the event after a superb 1.52m club record High Jump the previous day to go top of the Scottish rankings. On the day Cameron jumped a modest 1.40m with a 4.44m Long Jump and 14.46s 100m to take the overall title. Robert Burns of Dollar produced some superb throwing with 9.01m in the shot and 29.01m in the Javelin for second place.

The battle for third was close with Lewis Stewart showing good Long Jump form (3.83m) to just hold off Scott Fleming (4th) and Anthony Quinn (5th). Anthony entered the Scottish ranking at 800m (2:36.3, 46th) and highlight for Scott was a PB Javelin (17.42m). Also improving Scottish rankings were Liam McGregor (Javelin, 18.74m, 28th) and Kieran Halliday (100m, 14.2s, 23rd).

Dunblane's Adam Evans was winner in the Under-11 boys (Long Jump 3.63m, 800m 2:58, Javelin 11.75m) with Stirling's James Thomson 2nd with good performances at Long Jump (3.62m) and 800m 2:55.1 and Ross McCrogray third with 3.43m at Long Jump.

Hamish Innes of Doune was a clear winner in the Under-17 Mens event with a PB 12.3s 100m and 9.05m shot from Lewis MacFarlane (Javelin 29.6m, Shot 8.83m).

Chris Thomson was Under-20 champion with 32.84m in the Javelin with Niall Finlayson runner up.

Kenny Pearson defended his senior title with seasons bests in the Pole Vault (3.20m, 26th Scot) and 110m Hurdles (18.9s) and Ron Todd was masters champion also clearing 3.20m in the Pole Vault and throwing the discus 31.36m.