New records set at Argyll athletics final
MORE than 100 young athletes descended on Atlantis Leisure, Oban, last Sunday for the Argyll athletics final. The athletics final, promoted by Mid Argyll Athletic Club, was the culmination of a fiveround series of events held throughout Argyll during the winter months.
After several hours of intense competition, five Argyll age records were broken with young athletes from Oban and Kintyre mainly dominating in the boys events and Mull and Kintyre to the fore in the girls events.
The top performance of the day was by Ellen MacRae from Salen on Mull, who broke four different age records for Argyll. Beth Johnstone, from Tarbert, came close to beating Ellen in the high jump but narrowly missed out on top spot, despite clearing 1.13metres and exceeding the old Argyll age record of 1.10m.
Ellen now holds four age records as she broke the record in the standing triple jump at the local Mull competition in February. Kirstie Renton from Campbeltown was only just behind Ellen MacRae on overall points as Kirstie won the javelin, triple jump and speed bounce and was placed second in four events. Kirstie broke the Argyll age record in the speed bounce recording 77 jumps in 30 seconds.
Violet Campbell, from Glenbarr in Kintyre, was the under 11 champion winning the long jump, triple jump and javelin.
Eilidh Cameron from Inveraray and Amy Anderson from Kilmichael Glassary both performed well in the under 13 category, both just finishing behind the winner, Poppy MacKillop from Oban.
The under 15 girls contest was the most competitive with three girls in contention up to the last event. The day ended in a tie for first between Jodie Robertson from Lochgilphead and Abbie Cato from Fionnphort on Mull. Jodie won four events including an excellent high jump of 1.51metres and attempted to equal the Argyll age record of 1.54m.
There was further success for the Kintyre contingent as Jenny Semple from Campbeltown Grammar was crowned the under 17 champion.
A new record in the boys events was set by Jack Green from Dalintober Primary in Campbeltown in the under seven age group. Jack won three of the five events including a new Argyll age record in the two lap race which beat the existing record by almost two seconds. Jack was watched by his proud mum Laura, then Laura Paterson from Carradale, who was the under nine Argyll champion back at the first indoor championships in January 1995.
In the same contest, Cameron Gilmour from Ardrishaig was second overall thanks to a fine win in the four lap race in 66.1seconds.
Isiah Doxsey from Drumlemble Primary in Kintyre won the under seven javelin throwing 11.75metres.
James Muir from Rockfield primary was the under nine champion ahead of Roan McVicar from Tighnabruaich and Keiran Blair from Tarbert who finished in third place in the under nine championship after winning the high jump, clearing 1.08 metres.
Murray MacDonald from Lochgilphead finished in second place behind George Pagan from Rockfield in the under 11 contest. Murray was placed highly in all seven events in addition to winning the long jump. Ruaraidh Campbell from Glenbarr and Ewan Dowd from Park primary tied for third on overall points with Ruaraidh winning the javelin with 17.25m.
Lochlain Ellis from Campbeltown was the under 13 champion winning six of the seven events whilst Logan Allan from Ardrishaig finished runner-up.
Jake Gillespie from Lochgilphead won a competitive under 15 contest just two points ahead of Sam Coates from Kilmore.
Jake won the four lap race, triple jump and shot putt while Sam won the two lap race and speed bounce with 83 jumps the highest score of the day from all age groups. Shaun Doy from Lochgilphead won the high jump and long jump.
Oban high school won the girls schools trophy with Lochgilphead high school finishing second. In the boys contest Rockfield Primary were winners ahead of Lochgilphead High School and Dalintober Primary.
The organisers thank all the young athletes and parents for supporting the competition.