Six of the best. . .

Saturday 7th February 2015

George Evans: Over-16 Schools shot putt record (pictured Aberdeen 2014)

The Scottish Schools Indoor Track and Field event is always hugely-popular and it was great to see the Emirates Arena again playing host to hundreds of pupils over two days.

And, while the participation levels are a source of encouragement for many in the sport, there were some very fine performances, too, from young athletes in the two age groups – Under-16 and Over-16.

In fact, no fewer than six Championship Best performances were delivered by the Class of 2015 at the Rotary International Scottish Schools Indoors . . . and with 40 records in total on the books that is an impressive ‘strike-rate’.

One or two of the bests that were broken stretched back almost 20 years and Scotland international Gemma Nicol saw her name erased in the U16 300m event by Holly McArthur.

Here are the six new Scottish Schools Indoors Championship Best performances set at the Emirates on February 3 and 4:

Alisha Rees (Banchory Academy) Over-16 200m 24.78

George Evans (Strathallan School) Over-16 shot putt 5kg 18.30m

Scott Connal (Lenzie Academy) Under-16 pole vault 3.80m

Adam Scott (Balwearie High School) Under-16 1500m 4.08.62

Holly McArthur(Kilsyth Academy) Under-16 300m 40.51

Jill Cherry (St Margaret’s HS, Airdrie) Over16 60m 7.67

We are sure many folk on the club scene in athletics in Scotland will recognise some or all of these names as hard-working and promising youngsters but, in this context, we congratulate the schools involved as as well the athletes, coaches and families on excellent performances.

The Scottish Schools Indoors this year benefited from a sponsorship agreement with Rotary International and it is always good to see that kind of support, with the backing highlighted on this website in a previous story.

All the results, when available, will be posted on the Scottish Schools website. (This should always be the first reference point for schools events as scottishathletics do not stage these or handle results).

Meanwhile, athletes and parents are reminded that entries for Scottish Schools XC events in March and April are processed through the school.

Please be aware the deadline for the Secondary Schools XC at Irvine on March 7 is on February 14 and, with mid-term holidays, it would be advisable to act quickly on this.

The Primary Schools XC is in Kirkcaldy on April 18 and the closing date for that event is March 27.