Age Groups action in Aberdeen as our U20s and U15s compete

Saturday 19th August 2023

Action from the U20 Women’s 800m (photo by Bobby Gavin)

The superb facilities at Aberdeen Sports Village were once again the perfect backdrop for our 4J Age Group Champs.

Day One featured the U15 Champs and a number of U20 events, too, with that programme split over two days.

The competition was keen at both levels and while there is an emphasis on enjoyment and development at the younger ages over this weekend, the desire to post a Personal Best, reach a final or make the podium was evident throughout.

A healthy entry of 673 athletes ensured the Aberdeen venue felt busy and it was brilliant to arrive and spot immediately our Age Group hoodies or athletes, coaches and parents clad in club kit.

Among those club kits the likes of Shetland (in blue) and Stornoway (in red) were prominent, emphasising once again the ‘reach’ of our champs and the efforts made to compete.

Dean Patterson swapped Trinidad for windy Aberdeen and the Commonwealth Youth Games silver medallist was on top of the podium in the Granite City, on a day when sprinters benefited from ‘running with the wind’ down the back straight.

The Glasgow School of Sport athlete, who is coached by David Watson, took gold in the Men’s 200m final with a run of 21.30 (helped by a +5.6 tailwind).

‘I had felt my calf in the run-out and wondered about not racing,’ said Dean.

‘We decided to go ahead and at 80m I had felt it again and thought about stopping. Rory Voss was clear by then and I had a bit of ground to make up . . . but I didn’t want people to think I’m scared of losing.

‘So I just gave chase and thankfully managed to get ahead shortly before the line. Trinidad was an amazing experience with Team Scotland and I was thrilled to get the silver medal – after a PB run in the semi-final.

‘I’ve the U20 Inernational coming up in Wales next week so that’s another chance to represent Scotland and maybe get a good time again.’

Kaya Slater won the U20 Women’s tilte in 24.50 (+3.5). The English-based athlete was joint bronze winner over 100m at our Seniors at Grangemouth.

‘It was good to win the javelin title today to add to the Senior gold from last week’ said Dawn Russell, who threw 46.67m for a Championship Best.

‘I felt more pressure last week as we were definitely targeting the Senior title this year but my throws were consistent today so I am happy enough with that and a CBP.

‘It’s Wales next week to represent Scotland and I’m looking forward to that. I’m looking forward to competing against javelin girls from around Britain and hopefully I can throw well.

‘I think mindset is making a difference for me this season. My coach (Karen) just told me to relax about throwing beyond 40m and that’s happened. Now we are looking to 50m and I’m only just over a metre short of that now so the aim is to keep trying to improve.’

Scott Hopper made it a javelin double for Kilbarchan AAC by taking gold in the Men’s U20 event.

Ben Heron is another athlete with his eyes on Cardiff next week.

The 400m Hurdler, who is coached by Chris Baillie, won the 400m Hurdles as he coped best with the windy conditions.

‘It made it a wee bit challenging at times but it was good to get over the hurdles and win,’ he said. ‘For me the U20 Welsh International is ‘the big one’ because there will be good competition and I’m hoping it will help push me to a quicker time.’

Ben was part of a North Ayrshire AC group who travelled north and the return trip features medals in the baggage.

‘The club is working hard to encourage more young athletes to compete and we’ve a few more than maybe in the past at Aberdeen,’ he said.

‘We started as a smallish club a few years ago but it is developing and there’s an emphasis on helping people train and qualify as coaches in as many events as possible.’

Anstasia Cotorobai took the Women’s 400m Hurdles in a PB run of 64.47 as she followed up 300m success at U17 level the previous week. Anastasia is another athlete with a Scotland vest looming in Wales next weekend.

The 800m finals saw wins for Jamie Phillips of Kilmarnock Harriers, with a strong final 200m, and in the Women’s race, for Holly Ovens, as the U17 from Fife AC finished strongly to reel in Olivia Clarke of Corstorphine AAcC.

The High Jump titles went to Matthew Tait of Dunfermline and Zoe Loughrey of VP-Glasgow.

Men’s U20 javelin podium with Scott Hopper taking the title (photo by Bobby Gavin)

U20 Champions

Women’s 400m Hurdles: Anastasia Cotorobai (Pitreavie AAC) 64.47

Men’s 400m Hurdles: Ben Heron (North Ayrshire AC) 54.46

Women’s Javelin: Dawn Russell (Kilbarchan AAC) 46.67m

Men’s Javelin: Scott Hopper (Kilbrachan AAC) 57.49m

Women’s High Jump: Zoe Loughrey (VP-Glasgow) 1.62m

Men’s High Jump: Matthew Tait (Dunfermline) 2.00m

Women’s Pole Vault: Charis Crawford (Springburn Harriers) 3.01m

Men’s Pole Vault: Finn Bryce (Aberdeen AAC) 3.95m

Women’s 800m: Holly Ovens (Fife AC) 2:17.53

Men’s 800m: Jamie Phillips (Kilmarnock Harriers) 1:53.84

Women’s 200m: Kaya Slater (Reading AC) 24.50

Men’s 200m: Dean Patterson (Glasgow School of Sport)

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Douglas Knox (centre) took three gold medals in the U15 age group (photo by Bobby Gavin)

In the U15 Champs there was another outstanding performance by young sprinter, Emma Clark, and a gold medal treble for Douglas Knox of Springburn Harriers.

The Whitemoss AAC athlete won the U15 Girls 100m title with a fine run of 11.83 (and was only denied a Scottish Record and CBP by the wind reading of +2.6). And this only one week on from a great run over 200m at the U17 Champs.

Emma won the 200m, as well, and similarly there was a sprint double for Inverness Harriers athlete, Lucas Davidson. Knox won at hurdles, shot put and long jump.

There was a further double for Holly Whittaker of Elgin AAC.

Angus Wilkinson won the U15 Boys 1500m with a new Championship Best Performance.

U15 Champions

Girls 100m: Emma Clark (Whitemoss AAC) 11.83

Boys 100m: Lucas Davidson (Inverness Harriers) 11.20

Girls 300m: Mia Fairweather (Pitreavie AAC) 41.65

Boys 300m: Zander Summerhill (Giffnock North AC) 37.85

Boys 1500m: Angus Wilkinson (East Kilbride AC) 4:00.88

Girls 1500m: Lois Macrae (Inverness Harriers) 4:39.17

Boys 200m: Lucas Davidson (Inverness Harriers) 23.14

Girls 800m: Zoey Morgan (Dundee Hawkhill) 2:16.98

Boys 800m: Alistair Street (Kilbarchan AAC) 2:04.05