Scots teenagers star in Bedford

Monday 29th August 2016

Young Scottish athletes headed south over last weekend to compete at the England Athletics U17 and U15 Championships.

And they did so with real distinction with no fewer than two Scottish U15 Records achieved and more than a dozen medals earned – as well as a host of other final places and PBs achieved.

Glasgow School of Sport athlete Miraji Ahmed and Kirsty Costello of Kilbarchan AAC were the two to land Scottish Records. Ahmed reached 13.63 in the triple jump to win gold while Costello threw 53.95 for her new PB in the hammer, but had to settle for fourth place.

In all, more than 12 Scots who came home with almost 20 medals – an excellent achievement at this level of competition in what is effectively the British Championships.

It was a great weekend for Inverness Harriers athlete, Finbar Dunne, in the U15 Champs. Dunne collected gold in the discus with 43.70m and then bronze in the shot with 14.21m.

Adam Boyle’s gold medal-winning javelin throw at U17 level was the second best of all-time in the Scottish rankings for that age group at 62.46m. Jade Hutchison‘s 24.65 run at U15 200m is also second on the all-time list.

There were golds for: Ahmed, Dunne, Boyle, Holly McArthur, Alessandro Schenini and Erin Wallace.

There were silvers for: Jade Hutchison and Andrew Peck.

And there were bronze medals for: Finbar Dunne, Cara Fairgrieve, Calum Henderson, Matt MacFarlane and Waddell.

In the Para events, as part of these England Athletics Champs, there were strong performances by Scots, too.

Abbie McNally of Inverness Harriers took a bronze in the Women’s 200m ambulant and a silver in the Women’s long jump ambulant. Perth Strathtay athlete, Freya Howgate, picked up three ambulant throws medals with gold in javelin and discus and silver in the shot.

And Red Star AC athlete, Kyle Brotherton, won bronze in the wheelchair races at 1500m.

These are just some of the names and performances. Well done to all the Scots who made the trip to Bedford to compete at this level and to their families, coaches and clubs for their support in their development.