Medals galore for St Kenneth’s
Youngsters excel at Strathaven park
Young athletes from St Kenneth’s Primary School claimed an impressive medal haul at the East Kilbride Primary School Cross Country Championships this month.
They won21 individual medals and three team prizes at Strathaven Country Park, competing against hundreds of pupils from across the district.
Held in early March, the races were contested over a mile at the primary seven stage and over a slightly shorter distance for primary six pupils.
In the first event the P6 girls took centre stage and St Kenneth’s started strongly.
Despite losing a shoe, Millie Aitken ran a fabulous race and stormed across the finish line in second place. She was quickly followed home by Rachel Davidson in third and Holly Murdoch, who finished in seventh position. Olivia Moan was 11th.
These excellent finishing positions meant St Kenneth’s won the trophy for best team in the race and a set of team gold medals.
Millie said: “I really enjoyed the competitive edge coming out in all of us. It made it a much better race.
“Running with one shoe is hard but if you have the right attitude, it shouldn’t matter.
“I am proud of our team because with only a couple of weeks training we did really well.”
The next race saw the P6 boys set off. Michael McKinley ran an outstanding race to claim a bronze medal.
The next three finishers for St Kenneth’s were Nathan Yardley, Callum Wright and Luca Clinton. They all completed the course in excellent positions, resulting in another gold team medal.
In the P7 girls’ race the school’s fine form continued. Leah Muirhead ran a fabulous race to pick up a silver and the next two finishers for St Kenneth’s were Ruby Byrne and Lily Scarlett Burns. Again, they finished high up the placings resulting in another set of gold team medals.
A delighted Leah said: “I am proud for coming second because it was a hard course. I have been training hard.
“I am also very happy with our team getting a gold because I know they worked hard as well.”
The final race of the day was for P7 boys and the team earned silver medals for their performances.
Coach Richard Wyatt said: “This was a tremendous effort and achievement from the squad. What an outstanding set of performances.
“Our pupils were brave, bold and very determined on a tough course.
“The medal haul is so well deserved and is a reflection of their talent, commitment, positive attitude and hard work.”
The St Kenneth’s team was – P6 Girls: Millie Aitken, Rachel Davidson, Holly Murdoch, Olivia Moan, Jessica Haig, Emma Louise O’Neill, Amber Muirhead and Ashveir Hara. P6 Boys: Michael McKinley, Nathan Yardley, Callum Wright, Luca Clinton, Jacob Davidson, Christopher Wilson, Jenson Cope, Sam McDermott, Benjamin Paul and Ciaran Blake, P7 Girls: Leah Muirhead, Ruby Byrne, Lily Scarlett Burns, Claudia Harris, Emma McBride, Sophie Wallace and Orla Houghton, P7 Boys: Rian MacLean, Szabolca Kormos, Lewis Herd, Dominic Duffy, Elliot Gentles, Callum Donaldson and Lucas Carroll.
Ten St Kenneth’s pupils finished in the top ten in their individual races. This means they qualify to race for their area in the South Lanarkshire County Cross Country Championships which take place at Chatelherault Country Park on Wednesday, April 29.