National Age Group Championships Day Two

Photo by Colin Young

Day 2 of the National Age Group Championships again saw a number of Kilmarnock athletes travel east to Grangemouth Stadium.

First up was Lauren Greig and Erin Connolly in the Under 15 girls 100m both girls battled well to progress to the semi finals, but there wouldn’t be personal bests today for the sprinters due to negative wind speeds sometimes reaching -5meters per second. Unfortunately for Erin despite her two really brave runs in the conditions she did not progress to the final. Lauren Greig lined up in the final against a really good field of athletes, which she decimated with her blistering run to gain the Gold medal.

Erin then took up the challenge in her first ever-competitive 300m. Once again the wind put paid to any really good times, however Erin ran really strongly and will be all the better for the experience.

In the Men’s Under 20 400meters, there was the clubs Kuda Tapatapa and Kilmarnock Coached North Ayrshire athlete Kyle Jackson. Both athletes were drawn in the same heat with Kuda doing just enough to progress to the final, however Kyle despite a really strong run did not fair so well in the quality field.

In the final Kuda, who had only just finished a course of antibiotics for an infection, set his stall out from the start with several athletes in the field who had quicker personal best times. One of these athletes was a Guernsey based GB International. Kuda led all the way to the home straight where the Guernsey athlete passed him. Kuda held onto second place until the dying stages where he found himself crossing the line in fourth place having given a good account of his self.

Next up was Kilmarnock Hurdler Sophie Rowan in the Under 15 Girls 75m Hurdles. Sophie found herself in a seeded heat against the fastest girl on paper in the event. Sophie managed to hold onto second place and her time was fast enough to gain her a place in the A final in 7^th place. In the final Sophie rose to the challenge being beaten into 5^th place by the narrowest of margins. Due to the weather Sophie did not achieve a personal best time, however having been seeded as tenth fastest on paper and finishing fifth shows she is capable of smashing her current personal best.

In the Under 15 Boys Pole Vault Findlay Walker had a flawless round of vaulting to clear 2.60m claiming the Silver medal. He had three very close attempts at 2.70m but it was not to be. Sara Barbour also gave a good account of herself in the Under 15 Girls Pole Vault to finish in 4^th place.

It was then onto the Under 15 Girls 200m with both Erin Connolly and Lauren Greig both competing in the event. Lauren who had been full of the cold this week made it through the heats and the semi final, lining up for the final a very tired girl. Erin Connolly who was competing for the first time in the age group unfortunately did not progress further but has gained valuable experience for next year in the age group.

In the final Lauren had the closest race she has had in a long time with an Irish athlete from City of Lisburn athletics club running her right to the line where Laurens spirited effort, gained her second Gold medal of the day.

A huge well done to all athlete’s who competed over the weekend and a big thank you to all the volunteers and officials who make this happen.