Medal moments to savour at our Eric Liddell Senior/U17 Champs

Sunday 18th August 2024

Photo by Bobby Gavin

*This report subject to further checks, additions and amendments. Please not it is not intended as comprehensive but rather as capturing some of the highlights of the day.

Stephen Mackenzie took gold with a superb display of long jumping at Grangemouth which landed him both the title and a slice of our £3000 prize pot.

The man from Ullapool was a silver medallist the year before when Alessandro Schenini triumped with a Native Record.

Stephen himself also jumped a Native Record that day in August 2023, but only held the honour for a matter of minutes.

This time he was in the lead from round one and a 7.92m legal jump was well over the standard being asked for the cash (7.70m) and (thankfully) had a legal wind reading.

Sarah Calvert posted a ‘double double’ in middle distance events as she repeated last year’s golds in the Women’s 1500m and 800m.

Ben Potrykus won the Men’s 5000m as Andrew McGill took gold in the 1500m. The 200m titles went to Lois Garland and Dean Patterson. In the field, there were throws golds for Kirsty Law and Amy Kennedy.

It was a good day for our sport with ten heroes – all volunteers – celebrated via our Eric Liddell Recognition awards for 2024 with a special presentation by Eric’s niece, Sue Caton.

Stephen MacKenzie flies through the air at Grangemouth on way to gold (photo by Bobby Gavin)

In that absorbing long jump competition, Schenini took silver this time with 7.75m and Murray Fotheringham was third at 7.69 in an excellent and exciting competition.

‘It was brilliant jumping by Stephen and I think the three guys really pushed each other on,’ said coach John Scott.

‘He has been in Ullapool for the summer but is coming back to Edinburgh after graduating this year. I work closely with his parents and we always say the coaching is a team effort.

‘Stephen has been jumping far in training and 7.92m was brilliant today after the (short-lived) Native Record last year.’

Andrew McGill celebrates 1500m victory at Grangemouth (photo by Bobby Gavin)

McGill won gold in the Men’s 1500m to continue an excellent 2024.

The Cambuslang athlete won the U20 National XC title at Falkirk and went sub four minutes for the mile in Belfast earlier in the track season.

This was his first Senior title of any kind and Frank Clement’s grandson always seemed to have control of a race where club-mate, Jamie MacKinnon, took silver (after four bronze medals indoors and out in this event).

‘The race went to plan in terms of what I was looking to do even though it was pretty windy out there,’ said Andrew, who clocked 3:47.86.

‘The Monument Mile Classic next week is now one to look forward to and hopefully I can get a fast time there.’

Lois Garland of Perth Strathtay defended her 200m title as Dean Patterson took the Men’s gold in 21.10 in a tight finish with Krishawn Aiken.

‘I was wearing that ‘defending champion’ logo on my number so it’s always good when you manage to win in those circumstances,’ said Lois.

Sarah Calvert after second final win of the weekend in the 1500m (photo by Bobby Gavin)

Calvert was one of the first winners of the day in the Women’s 1500m.The event went to a straight final with 16 athletes and that was a decision which helped three 800m medallists again make the podium at the longer distance.

For Sarah, to was a ‘double double’ after winning both titles last year, too. Beth Ansell and Hannah Cameron, bronze and silver medals in the 800m, traded places this time with the Edinburgh AC athlete second home behind Calvert.

‘I’m pleased to win the double again and I always enjoy the Scottish Senior Champs weekend,’ said Sarah.

‘I’ve had some injury issues at times so coming here and winning gold is always a good feeling.

‘I’ve competed here when I was younger and looked up to Senior champions so to sign your name in the book that is kept for gold medallists is pretty cool. You can compare your signature from the previous year!’

Ben Potrykus enjoys the moment in the 5000m (photo by Bobby Gavin)

The men’s 5000m final was a great watch.

Seven or eight athletes were involved for a long spell and the medals were not confirmed until the final strides in a race

Ben Potrykus had the kick required to see off Alasdair Kinloch over the last lap as the Inverclyde AC athlete clocked 14:324.67. Kinloch was at 14:07. Finishing fast, Finlay Ross-Davie of Garscube took third in 14:35.68.

Kyle Alexander took the Men’s 400m title and landed one of our commemorative Eric Liddell 100 medals.

Will Hodi won the sprint hurdles gold and that will be a first Senior Scottish championship success for Nairn Area AAC.

‘The club has been around a long time but I am pretty sure that is a first,’ grinned the Combined Events athlete.

‘I joined when I was seven or eight years old and am always pleased to wear the vest. But we only have a grass track so folk tend to move clubs when they reach their late teens.

‘I had three no jumps in the long jump shortly before the hurdles final so it was nice to get the win there.’

The women’s race in that event was dramatic and both Erin Cambell (Giffnock North) and Jane Davidson (Aberdeen AAC) were given 13.86. The photograph decision went in Erin’s favour for the gold.

Greg Millar took the Men’s javelin title once again and it would not be the Senior Scottish Champs without Kirsty Law in the circle for the Women’s discus. Believe that is title win No 15 for Kirsty!

Senior Champions

Men

Javelin: Greg Millar (Birchfield) 65.57

Long Jump: Stephen MacKenzie (Pitreavie AAC) 7.92m

High Jump: Archie Street (Banbury) 1.93

Hammer: Jack Paget (Thames Valley) 67.13m

5000m: Ben Potrykus (Inverclyde AC) 14:34.67

110m Hurdles: Will Hodi (Nairn Area AAC) 15.13

400m: Kyle Alexander (Giffnock North) 48.00

1500m: Andrew McGill (Cambuslang Harriers) 3:47.86

200m: Dean Patterson (VP-Glasgow) 20.10

Women

1500m: Sarah Calvert (Livingston AC) 4:24

100m Hurdles: Erin Campbell (Giffnock North) 13.86

3000m Steeplechase: Alicia Paton (Cumbernauld AAC) 10.55.87

200m: Lois Garland (Perth Strathtay Harriers) 23.96

Long Jump: Hannah Wallace (Cumbernauld AAC) 6.09

Discus: Kirsty Law (Sale) 53.32

Shot : Amy Kennedy ( Cumbernauld AAC) 14.83

Pole Vault: Isla Crameri (Tamworth) 3.25m

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U20 Men 5000m: Oliver MacDonald (Giffnock North AC) 14:52.25

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Emma Clark on her way to Championship Best Performance at U17 Women’s 100m

The U17 Champs continued on Sunday via the split programme and once again our visiting Irish contingent made their presence felt.

With a number of Championship Best performance, Scottish teenagers rose to the occasion well with fine performances, for example, by Alistair Street in the U17 Men’s 1500m and Emma Clark in the U17 Women’s 100m.

Holly Whittaker of Aberdeen completed a long jump and hurdles gold medal double on Sunday, too.

There was a strong pole vault performacne by Charis Crawford of Springburn Harriers at 3.35m.

U17 Champions

Women

Shot: Shannon Brown (North Ayrshire) 12.29m

Long Jump: Holly Whittaker (Aberdeen AAC) 5.91m

Discus: Marie Shanahan (Ballyskneach) 37.23

Pole Vault: Charis Crawford (Springburn Harriers) 3.35m

200m: Emma Clark (Whitemoss) 23.86

1500m: Zara Redmond (Kilbarchan AAC) 4:40.38

80m Hurdles: Holly Whittaker (Aberdeen AAC) 11.16

Men