Central duo scoop UK Games prizes
Matt and Emma’s success in Loughborough
Central AC pair Matt Chandler and Emma Mailer finished the season in style by landing medals at the recent UK School Games at Loughborough University.
Matt and Emma were on international duty for the third time this season as part of a Scottish schools team taking on teams representing the English regions and Wales.
In his favoured pole vault event, Matt took a superb gold in a tight competition.
He knew first time clearances could decide the medals and comfortably cleared 3.61m, 3.81m and 3.91m at the first attempt to take the lead.
Another first time clearance at 4.01m followed then a second attempt at 4.11 which equalled his personal best and club record.
One other athlete followed him over at thesecond attempt but neither could manage the next height at 4.21m leaving the result to be decided on countback - when Matt’s consistency at the lower heights proved crucial.
This was a fantastic gold medal against the best school athletes from throughout the UK and was a fitting end to a great season for the 16 year-old decathlete from Balfron following on from silver in the decathlon at the UK Championships and numerous other medals at pole vault, high jump and hurdles.
Emma Mailer was also on form to win bronze in the 300m hurdles. A week after winning the Scottish title, Emma ran 44.78s, close to her personal best and added a silver medal as part of the Scottish 4x300m relay team which just missed the Scottish record.
This ends a fine season for the 15 year-old from Cambusbarron which has seen her win Scottish Schools, Scottish and Celtic Games titles as well as breaking the club record with 44.45s at the Scottish Schools in June.