U17 Champs Round-up – as Dean and Libby set Scottish Records

Saturday 22nd January 2022

Dean Patterson and Libby White rewrote the Scottish U17 Record books as championship action returned to the Emirates.

It was a day of strong performances on the track and in the field and that was reflected in those superb PBs.

Glasgow School of Sport athlete Dean had clocked a quick 200m in the National Open when racing with Senior athletes and this time he blew the field away for gold and a new age group Record.

He let out a roar of approval when seeing the track clock read 21.49 – and the official result was even better at 21.47. The Record on the books had been 22.

White for her part leapt out to 12.31m to improve by 20cm a Record previously held by Ellie O’Hara.

‘I’m chuffed with the PB and the win,’ said Libby.

‘I was beyond 12m outdoors last summer so it is great to improve on that with 12.31m today.

‘I was aware of the Record (held by Ellie O’Hara) but not really sure of the distance. I think it is better to focus simply on trying my best to jump a new PB and that’s what happened today – training has been going well.

‘I’ve the Scottish Schools and then the England Athletics U17s in Sheffield in the same week in February. So it should be an exciting Indoor Season and I’m looking forward to those competitions.

Libby White on her way to a new Scottish U17 Triple Jump Record (photo by Bobby Gavin)

There were U17 Women’s titles in the 60m for Leeds athlete Mehitabella Angel at 7.79 and VP-Glasgow’s Jenna Hilditch in the 60m Hurdles in 9.02.

In the Men’s 60m Hurdles, Daniel McFarlane, won gold with 9.71 and the 60m sprint final saw Euan Cunningham of Falkirk edge it by five hundredths as he clocked 7.20 from Shettleston’s Imane Ghontouin’s 7.25.

Cole Queen of Glasgow School of Sport won the Men’s Long Jump with 6.08 and the Men’s Shot went to Logan Mitchell of Kilmarnock Harriers at 12.51m

Aberdeen AAC athlete, Rosie Meyer, won the Women’s Pole Vault with 2.64m. VP-Glasgow thrower Meghan Porterfield won the shot gold at 14.01m.

Mark Herbert-Ruiz of Giffnock North with 3.70m won the Men’s Pole Vault.

Madison Murdoch of Glasgow School of Sport won the Women’s 300m in 41.19 seconds and there was gold in the Men’s 400m for Ben Heron of North Ayrshire AC as he clocked 50.88.

Jenna Hilditch of VP-Glasgow won a gold double in the hurdles and long jump (photo by Bobby Gavin)

It was a good day for Aberdeen AAC across both the Senior and U17 championships and that was reflected in the circular track events.

Indeed, both golds in the U17 800m finals were headed for the Granite City as Rhys Crawford won in 1.59.28 and Hannah Taylor in 2.15.62.

In the High Jump competitions, Banchory Stonehaven’s Ellen McLeod won with 1.54m as did Dunfermline’s Matthew Tait at 1.95m.

Ayr Seaforth’s Branden Dunlop won the Men’s Triple Jump at 11.69m while VP-Glasgow’s Jenna Hilditch won the Women’s Long Jump with 5.37m – to add to her hurdles crown.

In the 1500m races, there were wins for Kilmarnock’s Jamie Phillips and Caitlyn Christie of Falkirk Vics.

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Tags: Dean Patterson, Emirates Arena, Libby White