Young athletes from across Scotland revel in Grangemouth sunshine
Photos by Bobby Gavin
There’s quite a strong argument for suggesting the 4J Age Group Champs are fundamentally about young athletes relishing not competition but . . . enjoying the journey.
When the two-day event at Grangemouth turns into almost six days away from home then that’s probably even more applicable!
Shetland AAC brought no fewer than 17 athletes to the mainland and their travel plans included taking a ferry to Aberdeen, two buses and a train to reach Falkirk on Friday night. They will not be back in Lerwick until Tuesday afternoon.
Athletes from Orkney, Stornoway RAC and North Uist will have had similar itineraries – and at no little financial cost, too.
‘It certainly takes a level of forward planning to bring 17 athletes from Shetland and the committee do a lot of hard work long before we ever arrive in Grangemouth,’ said one of the coaches, John.
‘There is a lot of advance booking required to put everything in place in advance of a trip like this.
‘Why do we come? Athletes in each age category want the chance to test themselves in a Scottish National event against athletes from around the country. They enjoy the competitive element.
‘But we have a lot of fun too and the enjoyment is really important for young athletes of that age.’
Come the 200m finals at U20 level later on, Shetland AAC had a gold medal to celebrate as Kian Redman claimed victory in 22.42. That’s taking the competition and the fun element to the maximum.
Similarly far-travelled, Abbie Stewart won gold in the Women’s 800m final in the red vest of Stornoway RAC. That particular podium had a strong island connection with Orkney’s Emily McArthur in third.
Emma Clark from Whitemoss AAC stepped up from U18 to win the U20 Women’s 200m and Holly Whittaker took Long Jump gold.
At U16 level, among the familiar names on top of the podium were Joseph Lanahan (with 7.00m LJ) and Murray Robb (CBP 16:29 in the shot).
Kilmarnock Harriers athlete Kacey Wilson won a hurdles double in the U16 Girls events. Ethan Gordon, also Kilmarnock, won a hammer and discus gold double.
Champions are listed further down this story (subject to checks).
With big numbers on entry lists, it certainly felt like a very busy session at Grangemouth. Those now operating the venue – Grangemouth Community Sports Trust – are committed to making everyone feel welcome. To enjoy the Grangemouth journey, in fact . . .
* These lists are provisional and subject to checks over Sunday and Monday. Sincere apologies if errors or omissions.
U16 Scottish champions
U16G Discus: Amy Pender VP-Glasgow 28.74m
U16G Shot: Esme Stewart Annan and District 10.19m
U16G Javelin: Lili Sharman Elgin AAC 34.42m
U16G High Jump: Eilidh Mitchell Kilmarnock 1.65m
U16G Long Jump: Charlotte Smith Edinburgh AC 5.49m
U16G Pole Vault: Branna Kenny Edinburgh AC 2.53m
U16G Hammer: Amelia Fisher Border Harriers 42.10m
U16G Triple Jump: Rachel Gove Aberdeen 11.27m
U16G 100m: Amy Johnstone Carlisle 12.11
U16G 1500m: Nina Clark East Kilbride AC 4:42/98
U16G 300m Hurdles: Kacey Wilson Kilmarnock Harriers 46.73
U16G 300m: Olivia Fisher Glasgow School of Sport 41.02
U16G 800m: Zoe Roberts Glasgow School of Sport 2:14.52
U16G 80m Hurdles: Kacey Wilson Kilmarnock 11.94
U16G 200m: Aoiffion McVittie-Brangan Edinburgh AC 25.36
U16B Shot: Murray Robb Pitreavie AAC 16.29m
U16B Long Jump: Joseph Lanahan 7.00m
U16B Pole Vault: Reuben Blake Pitreavie AAC 3.63m
U16B Javelin: Sol Currie Inverlcyde AC 47.77m
U16B Hammer: Ethan Gordon Kilmarnock 47.13m
U16B High Jump: Duncan MacGregor Inverness Harriers 1.79m
U16B Triple Jump: Lucas McDonald Glasgow School of Sport 12.47m
U16B Discus: Ethan Gordon Kilmarnock 40.70
U16B 100m: Cameron Kennedy Aberdeen AAC 10.92
U16B 1500m: Tom Ibbs Team East Lothian 4:20.84
U16B 300m: Billy Briad Fife AC 32.95
U16B 200m: Theo Dixon North Shields 22.24
U16B 800m: Evan White Giffnock North 2:03.11
U16B 100m Hurdles: Owen Lockey Gateshead 13.97
+++
U20 Scottish champions
U20W Long Jump: Holly Whittaker Aberdeen AAC 5.98m
U20W Pole Vault: Morven Kenny Lasswade AC 2.73m
U20W High Jump: Anna Reid Aberdeen AAC 1.68m
U20W Javelin: Skye Marshall Gateshead 42.95m
U20W 200m: Emma Clark Whitemoss AAC 23.92
U20W 800m: Abbie Stewart Stornoway RAC 2:13.92
U20W 400m Hurdles: Cara Monachello Kilmarnock Harriers 1:01.96
U20M Pole Vault: Thomas Hill Darlington 4.43m
U20M High Jump: Ely Adams North Shields 2.06m
U20M Javelin: Callum James Border Harriers 50.50m
U20M 200m: Kian Redman Shetland AC 22.42
U20M 800m: Angus Wilkinson East Kilbride AC 1:53.55
U20M 400m Hurdles: Cameron Scott Banchory 56.48
Tags: 4J Age Groups, Grangemouth
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