Athletics News
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Scottish Secondary Schools Road Relay Championships - Grangemouth
For the first time in the 10 year history of the Glasgow School of Sport we were able to field teams in all 4 categories, 1st year boys & girls and boys and girls medley relay teams and all four of our teams performed with credit.
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Glasgow School of Sport athletes at Grangemouth |
Glasgow School of Sport athletes at Grangemouth |
First into action were the 1st year girls with Amy Coyle running the first leg. Amy continued the form she had showed earlier in the week by giving a strong performance bringing the team home in 2nd place just behind the early leaders. On the second leg was Hannah Jenkins who soon became involved in a four way battle near the front, however this early exuberance took its toll and Hannah faded slightly into 6th place. This however, was a performance full of potential. Hannah handed over to Morgan McKinnon on the final leg and like Hannah she started very strongly chasing the girls in front and pushed hard all the way to bring the girls home in a creditable 8th place. This was a fine result for this very inexperienced trio.
Next into action was the 1st year boys team led off by Christian Mamkodila. Christian ran a very competitive opening leg as the leading group of boys exchanged places continually and it a close group of 6 that finished almost together. Taking over from Christian on the second leg was Kieron Kelly who was making his competitive debut. Kieron battled hard as the leading 6 teams remained locked together with only 15secs covering 1st to 6th at the second change, where Zdenko Tekel, borrowed from our hockey programme, took over. Zdenko set off hard, but a side stitch hampered his progress and he slipped back a few places in the final few hundred metres to bring the boys home in 10th place.
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Glasgow School of Sport athletes at Grangemouth |
Glasgow School of Sport athletes at Inverclyde |
The Girls medley relay was next up on the timetable, and was the race where we harboured a hope of taking a medal. These hopes were soon raised when Brogan Wallace quickly established her superiority over her competitors on the opening leg, bringing the Glasgow School of Sport home with a 75m lead, before handing over to Jaye McRoberts. Jaye, one of the youngest in this age category, put in a determined run but lost a few places to hand over to third leg runner Caitlin Vaughan in 10th. Caitlin then set off to try and bring the Glasgow School of Sport back into medal contention and this she did with perhaps her best ever run moving the team up to 6th and closing on the medal positions. On the important anchor leg Claire McAuley charged off in pursuit of the girls in front and quickly moved through into 4th but with time running out was unable to progress further and the girls had to settle for a fine 4th overall.
The final event was the boys medley relay where we fielded a young inexperienced team with two 2nd year boys on the first two legs. Ingles Lumfuankenda, who was part of our 1st year boys team that medalled last year, ran a strong opening leg finishing 14th, before handing over to David McGeachy, another borrowed hockey player, who produced the surprise run of the day moving up 4 places and bringing us back into the middle of race before handing over to triathlete in the making Grant McPherson who produced a strong run holding onto 10th. On the last leg Lee Wilson took up the challenge of improving the teams position which he did admirably bringing the team home in 8th overall.
This finished a fine day of competition with all our teams gaining top ten positions and delivering a number of excellent individual performances.
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Inverclyde School Cross Country Championships
On Wednesday, the 11th November 2009, the Glasgow Schol of Sport athletes made their annual trip "Doon the Water" to contest the Inverclyde School Cross Country Championships. We have been lucky over the last few years to receive invitations to run in these, well run and contested races, as guest athletes.
This year a group of eight travelled with the majority being in the S1/2 age group. As in previous years we have used these races as a perfect competition opportunity to "blood" our youngest athletes into the rigours of cross country racing.
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Glasgow School of Sport athletes at Inverclyde |
Glasgow School of Sport athletes at Inverclyde |
First into action however was our oldest and most experienced athlete competing, S6 Claire McAuley. Claire was using this as a stepping stone back into competition after a substantial spell out injured. Clair e, as was to be expected, made as steady start in the extremely muddy conditions before moving through to finish a very creditable 4th in the most competitive race of the day.
Next up was the S1/2 girls race in which our three S1 girls Amy Coyle, Hannah Jenkins and Morgan McKinnon were making their GSOS and cross country debuts. Despite their inexperience all three gave a good account of themselves, however the undoubted top performance on this occasion came from Amy, who finished second overall and 1st in the S1 girls race beating many much older and experienced athletes.
The S1/2 boys followed into action where S1 Christian Mamkodila and S2 Ingles Lumfuankenda represented the GSOS, again both boys did well with Christian 15th overall and just outside the top 5 amongst the S1s.
The final pair into action were the S4 girls Amy McCafferty and Sarah Hodge. Both coped with the mud admirably with Amy gradually moving through the field throughout the race to finish a fine 4th overall with Sarah just glad to finish after being out injured for a lengthy spell.
Thanks to Inverclyde schools for their invitation and for organising a well run event.
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October 2009
Cross Country Action
Glasgow School of Sport athletes have been in cross country action during October 2009. On 10 October 2009 at Strathclyde University Playing Fields S6's Lee Wilson took part in the West District XC Relays, competing for Shettleston Harriers. Lee was running the Under 17 leg for his team and didn't disappoint, running the seventh fastest individual time, lifting his team up to fifth pace overall.
One week later at Irvine Beach Park, Lee was in action again, running this time for North Ayrshire Harriers, competing in the senior men's race over 4 kilometres. Lee found the extra distance a little difficult but can be satisfied with his performance at this early part of the season. Also competing was S3's Brogan Wallace who was running for Kilmarnock Harriers in the Under 15 Girls' XC Relays. Brogan produced a very good performance running the fastest time of any junior female athlete taking part and helping her team to a comprehensive victory.
On 24 October 2009 it was time for the National XC Relays and Brogan, Lee and Samantha Kelly were all in action competing for their various clubs. Undoubtedly, the top run came from Brogan running a sparkling 10 minutes 52 seconds, the fifth fastest Under 15 Girls' time on the day and massively contributing towards Kilmarnock's final twentieth position.
Meanwhile, Lee was running the anchor leg for the Shettleston 'B' team and gave a solid performance moving his team up six places into their final fourteenth position. Samantha meanwhile was making her comeback to racing after a spell on the sidelines and also moving up into the Under 20 age group, and she can be happy with an encouraging performance.
Norrie Hay
Asst High Performance Coach
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June 2009
Scottish Schools Track & Field Championships, Grangemouth
Athletes from the Glasgow School of Sport had a successful two days at the Scottish Schools Championships held recently at Grangemouth. Overall they won 5 medals: 3 gold and 2 silver medals.
Pride of place must go to Mahad Ahmed who took double gold winning both the 100 metres and 200 metres sprints in the Under 14 Boys’ category. The 200 metres was first up on the Friday and Mahad comfortably qualified for the final. In the final Mahad made a good start and eased to a fairly comfortable win setting a new personal best time in the process of 25.16 seconds into a strong headwind.
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Mahad Ahmed wins gold! |
Lee Wilson wins gold! |
The following day Mahad returned to contest the 100 metres. Again he qualified easily for the final running 12.22 seconds, and delivered another new personal best time, but looked capable of much quicker in the final. However, at the start of the final Mahad was left in his blocks after hesitating at the gun, thinking it was a false start, giving the entire field a three to four metre advantage. Mahad then had to work and blasted through the field to snatch the lead close to home to record his second win and another new personal best of 12.16 seconds.
The other gold medal also came on the second day of competition and was won by Lee Wilson in the Under 17 Boys’ 800 metres. Lee ran a tactically smart heat just doing enough to qualify and saving his energy for his final later in the day. In the final he set off fairly conservatively and eased through the first lap before moving onto the shoulder of the leaders with 300 metres left. He maintained this position until they entered the home straight before kicking hard for home and driving for the line and winning in a new personal best time of 1 minute 57 seconds.
As a result of this fine win Lee will now be selected to represent the Scottish Schools in the forthcoming Schools International and should also get selected for the UK schools Games.
The School’s other two medals were won by Sarah Smith who took bronze in the Over 16 Girls’ 200 metres in a new personal best of 25.96 seconds and Aaron Kyle who also took bronze in the Over 16 Boys’ 400 metres hurdles.
Congratulations to all the medal winners and also those other Glasgow School of Sport athletes who performed well over the weekend. Special mention to Amy McCafferty whose personal best run in the Under 15 Girls’ 1500 metres saw her selected to represent Glasgow Schools in the Inter Area competition.
Norrie Hay
Assistant High Performance Coach
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Glasgow Schools Track & Field Championships Finals Night, Linwood – 10 June 2009
The Glasgow School of Sport had three pupils competing at the Glasgow Schools Finals night held at Linwood.
In the S2 boys’ 100 metres final, Mahad Ahmed lined up in a highly anticipated race. He lined up against Ahmed Hassan of Shawlands who had previously broken the Glasgow Schools record in the heats.
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Mahad Ahmed |
Jock Breckenridge |
Mahad made the better start gaining, perhaps a metre, over the first 20 metres. However, the Shawlands pupil Hassan was not giving up and was slowly gaining ground, drawing level at around 80 metres, as both boys raced for the line. Unfortunately for Mahad it was Hassan who got the verdict by the narrowest of margins at the end of a terrific race.
Also competing was S1 Jock Breckenridge who had qualified for the 800 metres final. The race started at a quick pace and Jock was a bit outpaced early on but stuck to his guns, kept working away and was rewarded with a new personal best time of 2 minutes 30 seconds and a credible fourth place.
In the girls’ events S2 pupil Amy McLachlan made the 200 metres final. Despite a good start Amy was slightly disappointed with her sixth place into the strong headwind, however overall she performed well making the final and running a personal best time in her heat. Norrie Hay
Assistant High Performance Coach
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Glasgow Schools Track & Field Championships 1 June 2009
First and second year athletes from the Glasgow School of Sport competed in the heats of the Glasgow Schools Track and Field Championships at Linwood. There were lots of new personal best times & distances recorded on a hot and sunny day.
S2’s Mahad Ahmed made his seasonal debut running the 100 metres and competing in the long jump. Mahad won the silver medal in the long jump with a new personal best jump of 5 metres 51 and qualified comfortably for the 100 metres final winning his heat in a time of 11.73 seconds, also a new personal best.
Amy McLachlan, also in S2 competed over 200 metres and in the shot putt. Amy also qualified for her 200 metres final finishing second in her heat in 29.30 seconds, a new personal best, and finished eighth in the shot putt final throwing 6.15 metres, also a new personal best.
In the S1 competitions, the top performer was again Ingles Lumfuankenda who competed in the 200 metres and long jump. Ingles won silver in the long jump, twice improving his personal best in the process, finally jumping 4 metres 88. He also qualified for finals night running third in his 200 metres heat in another personal best of 29.11 seconds.
In the S1 boys 800 metres event Glasgow School of Sport had two athletes competing. Jock Breckenridge comfortably made the final, running a smooth 2 minutes 32, whilst Joseph Amouzo made his debut over this middle distance event and although not making the final competed well.
In the S1 girls’ events, Anna Catchpole and Kirstie Baird both ran well in their 100 metres heats and both narrowly failed to make the final. Finally Ellidh Clark ran a strong debut over 1500 metres to finish a credible eighth in the final in a new personal best time.
Altogether the 8 athletes competing managed 8 new personal bests and will look forward to finals night on 10 June 2009.
Norrie Hay
Assistant High Performance Coach
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May 2009
New Personal Bests for Ingles
On two of the last three weekends in May 2009, GSOS athlete Ingles Lumfuankenda has competed for Shettleston Harriers in the Scottish Young Athletes League. On weekend one Ingles competed in the 100 metres where he ran 14.15 for 3rd place, the 200 metres where he again finished 3rd in 29.87 with both performances being new personal best times. In his third event, the day he took part in the Long Jump (his favourite event), he took 1st place jumping a fine 4.45 metres. Finally, on a long and tiring day he ran a strong leg of the 4 by 100 metres relay. Ingles ended the day as one of Shettleston Harriers top point scorers. Also competing alongside Ingles was Joseph Amouzou who made fine debuts in the 200 metres and Long Jump also scoring vital team points.
Last weekend Ingles was again in league competition for Shettleston. On this occasion he showed his multi-event versatility competing over 200 metres, where he again improved his personal best to 29.27 seconds to finish a close second, Long Jump where he jumped 4.28 for 2nd place, and finally the Shot Putt where, in his first ever competition, he threw 7.28 metres to win. Again Ingles was amongst the top scorers for the team.
The league competitions are excellent preparation for Ingles as he prepares for the Scottish Schools 1st year Triathlon where he will compete over 600 metres, Long Jump and Shot Putt, on 6 June 2009.
Norrie Hay
Assistant High Performance Coach
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Gold Medal Haul for Sarah Smith
Sarah Smith won silver in the 100 metres and gold in the 200 metres at the North District Championships in Inverness on Saturday, 9 May 2009.
Frank Rafferty
High Performance Coach
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February 2009
Scottish Indoor Age Group Championships 14/15 February 2009
At the recent Scottish Indoor Age Group Track & Field Championships, the Glasgow School of Sport had a number of athletes in action. On day1, the under 13 and under15 athletes were in action. The best performance undoubtedly came from Ingles Lumfuankenda who won the School's only gold medal of the weekend.
Competing in the under 13 boys' long jump, Ingles had a steady start jumping 4.09 metres in his first round. The competition was fierce and despite jumping 4.21 metres in the 5th round, Ingles was only lying in third position as the competition entered its last round. However Ingles, just like he had done when winning the West District title earlier in the year, produced his best jump, flying out to 4.59 metres, more than 25 centimetres further than his nearest rival and enough to clinch the gold medal and Ingles' first Scottish title.
The jump also puts Ingles top of the UK ranking for this current indoor season. Ingles only joined the School back in August 2008, and is in his first year of competition, making this achievement all the more commendable.
Also competing on the first day was Mahad Ahmed who reached the final of the under 15 boys' 60 metres sprint. A lacklustre heat saw Mahad scrape through to the semi-finals, however he then upped his level by running a new personal best time of 7.67 seconds to qualify for the final. In the final he again raced well finishing 5th running his second best ever time of 7.70 seconds to end a satisfying day of competition.
On Day 2 it was the turn of the older under 17 and under 20 athletes to compete. Sunday's best performance came from Lee Wilson who won the silver medal in the 800 metres. Lee comfortably won his semi-final heat before lining up in a competitive final. Lee, who was ranked number 1 under 17 Indoors in Scotland prior to this event, ran a strong final but was just outran on the final straight and had to settle for second and the silver medal.
Also competing with distinction was under 20 participant Sarah Smith who reached the final of the women's 200 metres. Sarah ran well in the final finishing just outside the medals. Also making a final was Aaron Kyle, also over 200 metres. Aaron ran a solid race but again was just outside the medal positions.
Norrie Hay
Assistant High Performance Coach
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January 2009
West District Indoor Championships
At the West District Indoor Championships, held at the Kelvin Hall ISA on 17-18 January 2009, athletes from the Glasgow School of Sport competed with distinction. In the under 13 boys category Ingles Lumguankenda was one of the first into action in his first ever indoor competition. This did not seem to phase Ingles as he leapt to victory and the gold medal in the Long Jump with a personal best performance of 4.23 metres. Ingles followed this up by qualifying for the final of the 60 metres where he finished in an unlucky 4th place, missing a second medal by a fraction of a second but with the consolation of another personal best time.
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Medal winners Mahad and Ingles at the West Indoor Championships |
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Another medal winner amongst the boys was under 15 athlete Mahad Ahmed who despite being one of the youngest in his age group performed with great promise. Mahad set two personal bests in his semi final and final as he ran in 7.73 seconds to claim the bronze medal in the 60 metres sprint. Mahad returned later in the day to contest the long jump where despite only being able to take 3 of his six available jumps, because of a back injury, he still set a new personal best of 5.17 metres to claim the silver medal.
In the under 15 girls competition the School had two girls competing in the 60 metres sprint: Amy McLachlan and Anna Catchpole. Although neither girl made it through to the final both had the satisfaction of running new personal best times in this event, with Anna improving by almost 0.5 of a second, a huge margin in this short sprint. Amy also returned to run the 200 metres where again she made a big improvement on her early season runs.
In the older age groups Lee Wilson and Craig Prior managed a 1-2 in the under 17 men's 800 metres. Lee led all the way to record a new personal best of 2 minutes 2 seconds to claim the gold medal with the fast finishing Prior just failing to snatch gold and having to settle for silver, running an impressive 2 minutes 4 seconds.
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Inverclyde Schools Cross Country Championships 2008
In the older age groups the S3/4/5/6 girls were all in the same race giving a possible 4 year age difference. Undaunted S3 girls Sarah Hodge and Amy McCafferty lined up alongside S5 Samantha Kelly to race over 2miles. Again the mass start caused a few problems, however the GSOS trio were well to the fore, with Samantha 4th, Sarah 5th and Amy 8th. The conditions underfoot were deteriorating and it was taking its toll on the athletes but Sarah was now in full flow and surged through to take a fine 3rd place overall with Samantha keeping on strongly in 6th and Amy finishing fast in 8th.
The final race saw S5 Lee Wilson & S4 Craig Prior lined up in the senior boys race which set off at a furious pace with Lee & Craig in a leading group of four. The four competitors slugged it out over the tough 2.5 miles trail constantly switching places, each trying to break clear. Into the last mile and Lee was now 3rd with Craig 4th, leading S3/4 runners, positions they maintained until the finish.
Thanks go to Inverclyde Schools for the kind invite and for hosting these championships.
October 2008
Sean Fontana - Laidlaw Scott Future Champion!
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Sean Fontana, a recent graduate from Glasgow School of Sport Athletics Programme, has secured his first sponsorship deal with Laidlaw Scott under their Future Champions programme. Sean beat off competition from other nominees from the badminton, gymnastics, swimming and hockey programmes to clinch the deal. Sean will receive much needed financial assistance to help him become a future champion. The School of Sport would like to thank Chris Farmer from Laidlaw Scott for their support.
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Chris Farmer - Commercial Manager Laidlaw Scott, Angela Porter and Sean Fontana on the starting line |
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June 2008
Gothenburg Games 2008
Congratulations to Sean Dimeo, currently in the S6 Athletics Programme, who competed very well at the recent Gothenburg Games on 26 June 2008.
Sean was part of a large team of athletes from Shettleston Harriers who made the journey to Sweden. Sean set a new personal best time of 22.80 seconds in the 200 metres to claim the silver medal.
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Scottish Schools Track and Field Championships
Athletes from the Glasgow School of Sport were in fine form at the recent Scottish Schools Championship on 13 and 14 June 2008 which was held at Grangemouth Stadium.
Sarah Smith (Inverness AC) who has recently joined the Athletics Programme ran very well in the 100 metres to claim second place and the silver medal.
Jade Barclay ( West Dunbartonshire) ran in the 300 metres and claimed the bronze medal in new personal best time of 41.37 seconds. This performance resulted in Jade’s selection for the British Schools International in July 2008.
Sean Dimeo (Shettleston Harriers) also ran a new personal best in the 200 metres to take the bronze medal and he was also selected for the British Schools International.
Mahad Amed (Shettleston Harriers) competed very well in the 200 metres where he was the youngest athlete in the race. Mahad finished in fifth place in the final in a time of 25.45 seconds.
The performance of the weekend must go to Laurie McKenna (Edinburgh AC) in winning the long jump in a massive new personal best of 5.78 metres. This performance was a new championship best that had previously stood for 26 years. Laurie was also selected for the forthcoming British Schools International.
There were also personal best performances from Caitlin Vaughan in the 800 metres (2 minutes 37 seconds) and Sarah Hodge in the 1500 metres (5 minutes 10 seconds).
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Glasgow Secondary Schools Track and Field Championships Finals
At the recent Glasgow Schools Track and Field Championships, held this year at Linwood on 2 and 11 June, the Glasgow School of Sport entered a small but competitive team. Overall from the eleven athletes who took part GSOS won eight medals, including five gold.
In the S1 competition GSOS had only two competitors. First to compete was Mahad Ahmed who equalled the Glasgow Schools record, and ran a personal best time of 12.5 seconds in his heat, before he comfortably took gold in the final running 12.9 seconds into a strong headwind. Also competing in the S1 competition was Amy McGlachlan who set seasons’ bests in both the 100 metres and Long Jump.
In the S2 competition Sarah Hodge, running her first race of the season, set a personal best time of 5.15 to win Gold in the 1500 metres leading from gun to tape. In the 800 metres Amy McCafferty ran a good second in her heat to make it through to the final where she finished a creditable seventh in a new seasons’ best time. The most successful of the S2s was Lewis Nicholson who won two medals. Lewis took a silver medal in the Shot Putt on day one before returning to win Gold in the 200 metres, the only GSOS pupil to win two medals.
The S3s provided the bulk of the GSOS team with five athletes competing. Again a number of medals were won. In the 800 metres events Craig Prior comfortably won a competitive boys’ race taking his first Glasgow Schools title and Caitlin Vaughan won her first ever Schools medal when she ran a personal best time to clinch the bronze medal in the girls’ race. Also taking gold was Jade Barclay who raced to victory in the 75 metres hurdles event, as she prepared for the forthcoming Scottish Schools Pentathlon Championships. In the other events Struan Carmichael reached the final of the boys’ 100 metres, whilst Jason Lafferty finished second in his heat but just failed to make the final.
Finally in the senior category S4 pupil Samantha Kelly scooped a bronze medal in the girls’ 800 metres.
Congratulations to all medal winners. The next competition is the Scottish Schools Championships.
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May 2008
Glasgow Secondary Schools Track and Field Championships Heats
At the recent Glasgow Secondary Schools track and field championships, ten GSOS S1, S2 & S3 athletes took part. This was the first day of the Championships competition and was made up mainly of qualifying heats which will culminate in a “Finals” night later in June 2008, although a few events were run as straight finals on the day.
Highlights of those finals run were Sarah Hodge who comfortably won the gold medal in the S1 girls’ 1500 metres in a new personal best time of 5 minutes 12 seconds and Jade Barclay who also won Gold in the S3 girls’ 80 metres hurdles. The other medallist on the day was Lewis Nicholson who took silver in the S2 boys’ shot putt.
In the rest of the events it was all about qualifying for finals night. A summary of those performances is included below:
S1 boys – Mahad Ahmed 1st in heat equalling the Glasgow Schools record
S1 girls – Amy McGlachlan 2nd in 100 metres heat
S2 boys – Lewis Nicholson 1st in 200 metres heat
S2 Girls – Amy McCafferty 2nd in 800 metres heat
S3 boys – Craig Prior 1st in 800 metres heat
S3 boys – Struan Carmichael – 1st 100 metres heat
S3 boys – Jason Lafferty - 4th 100 metres heat
S3 girls – Caitlin Vaughan – 1st 800 metres heat
These athletes will go forward to finals night on 11 June 2008 and a report on that event will follow.
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Athletes within the School of Sport's athletics programme have just finished a successful indoor season.
West District Indoor Championships
Gold Medal Sean Fontana 1500m under 17 men
Gold Medal Laurie McKenna Long Jump under 17 women
Silver medal Matthew Turner 1500m senior men
Scottish Schools Indoor Championships
Gold Medal 800m (New Scottish Schools Record) Matthew Turner 1.53.3
Gold Medal Long Jump Laurie McKenna 5.22
Silver Medal 60m (New Personal Best) Laurie McKenna 7.98
Silver Medal 400m Kyle Nicholson 54.70
Bronze Medal High Jump David Clunie 1.85
Bank of Scotland Indoor Championships
Gold Medal 800m under 20 Men Matthew Turner 1.57.94
Bronze Medal 1500m under 20 Men Kenny Boyd 4.08.97
British Indoor Championships
Bronze Medal 1500m under 20 men Kenny Boyd 4.15.88
There was also success in the Scottish Schools Cross Country championships, with our senior boys winning the team event. Congratulations to our winning team members Daniel Swanson, Matthew Turner, John Cooke and Steven Cooke.
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