KIRSTY STRIKES GOLD
Costello back at her best
Kilbarchan’s Kirsty Costello was back at her record-breaking best at the Scottish Athletics Age Group Championships over the weekend.
The hammer thrower looks destined for the top of the sport as the records continue to tumble week on week.
This time there was a Championship Best performance in the U15 hammer, with Costello showing the kind of form she has displayed all season.
A best throw of 55.18m was enough to take gold and improve that CBP by just over three metres.
Elsewhere, internationalist Alisha Rees claimed a Championship Best Performance on the second day of the Age Group Champs – with two more strong runs at 200m.
The GB international, who had recorded a 23.31 PB in midweek when representing GB Juniors in the Manchester International, took gold in 23.66 at Scotstoun. That took the CBP set back in 1994 by Sinead Dudgeon at 24.49.
It was one of a number of fine performances as U15 athletes revelled in better conditions that the previous day for their U13 counterparts and the U20s completed their programme.
Championships chairman Ian Beattie said: “It’s always good to see the support for these championships from clubs right across the country.
“I was speaking to the Shetland AAC folk and learned that, for them, the Age Groups is a five-night trip. That’s a great commitment to competition but they stressed they want to be here and be part of the National Championships as it is best way for their young athletes to develop.
“One of the features of the Age Groups is different vests from all over the country and I think it is important we get that kind of spread because, of course, it adds depth to events which in turn raises standards.”