Scottish Schools Indoor Athletics Championships

There were a number of Kilmarnock Harrier athletes in action today at the Emirates Arena on day one of the Scottish Schools Indoor Athletics Championships. First athletes of the day that were representing their schools were Under 16 Girls Molly Murray in the 1500m and Sara Barbour in the Pole Vault. Molly ran a new indoor personal best (PB) of 5.22.50 mins which unfortunately was not enough to progress further in the competition however she has another two years in this age group. Sara achieved a Silver medal with a vault of 2.50m which was a huge improvement of 20cm’s on her PB.

Staying with the Pole Vault in the U16 Boys as the clubs Finlay Walker. Having only at the weekend claimed a Silver medal in the Scottish indoor championships in his age group, he went on step further today claiming the Gold medal in a fantastic new PB of 3.75m. In the U16 girls Shot Putt Natalie Sharp was putting her new training regime to good use to achieve a seasons best throw of 7.72m which she was delighted with.

Things were getting under way for the clubs 200m runners. First up was Mhairi Chalmers in the U16 Girls, 200m s not Mhairi’s preferred event however she achieved a new PB of 29.83secs and was pleased with her performance. In the U16 Boy’s the club had two athletes Jack Edwards and Josh Smith both boys being at the lower end of the age group at 13yrs. Jack was up first and ran a new PB of 25.22secs, however did not progress to the next round. Josh ran sub 25secs which saw him progress to the semi final where he ran 24.58secs which was a new PB but unfortunately did not qualify him for the final.

Next up was in the O16 Girls 200m was Lauren Greig who at the weekend achieved the qualifying standard for the Commonwealth Youth Games which are to be held in the Bahama’s in July. Lauren cruised through her heats and semi finals getting progressively faster as she went. In the final she took the race by the horn’s leading from the gun to the line to take the Gold Medal in 25.08secs.

In the O16 Boys 200m there were three of the clubs sprinters in action. Joe Aiwansoba, Cameron Wilson and Fraser Angus. Joe who has only been sprinting for around a year is going through a great phase just now where he is achieving personal bests with every race and today was no exception as he yet again run a new PB of 25.00secs. This was not small achievement given that there was an issue with his starting blocks, which meant he did not get the best of starts. But that one is best left for him to explain. Next up were Cameron and Fraser who were drawn in the same first round heat. This was Fraser’s first race since tearing his hamstring in July. Both progressed through to the semi finals with Fraser taking first and Cameron third. In the semi finals Cameron ran well but his first race was to be the fastest of the day at 23.66secs, which was a new indoor best for him but he did not qualify for the final. Fraser again controlled the race from the front to cross the line first in 21.98secs.

 

Frazer is also chasing a qualifying time for the Commonwealth Youth Games, which is set at 21.95secs. In the final Fraser was again drawn in lane 6. From the gun he meant business with a blistering start and by the back straight he had taken a couple of meters out of his nearest rival. Fraser continued to keep the power on all the way to the line claiming the Gold Medal a PB and fantastic qualifying time of 21.90secs.

 

It was a great days competition and once again the clubs athletes have shone brightly, so a huge well done to them and their coaches.

If I have missed anyone please accept my apologies and let me know so that can amend the report.