The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Aberdeen side in medal rise as Edinburgh disqualified
Athletics: Lift for Ferguson going into national relays
Aberdeen AAC’s Michael Ferguson is delighted his club has been promoted to the Scottish East District cross- country championship bronze-medal position after the disqualification of men’s race winners Edinburgh University.
The student team scored a surprise victory at Livingston earlier in the month, apparently bringing an end to Central AC’s 10-year reign as champions.
The Edinburgh University club celebrated even more when the B squad overhauled Aberdeen AAC on the fourth and final circuit to take third spot, but the A-team included an ineligible runner and has been disqualified.
Central AC have been installed as champions, with Edinburgh University Bin second position and Aberdeen A AC awarded the bronze.
Ferguson said: “We weren’t aware of the problem but it’s great news for our club.”
It’s a boost for the Aberdeen club on the eve of the national crosscountry relay championships at Cumbernauld tomorrow.
Ferguson will lead the team, which also includes Scottish 10,000metres track champion Will Mackay, Broc Drury and Rory Muir.
Ferguson added: “It’s a strong squad. Broc has had a bit of an injury but it seems he’s fine. He is always very fit, so the lay-off won’t be a problem, although he might be rusty.”
Ferguson has made a bright start to the cross-country season, having posted the third-fastest time in the east relays before taking third position in the league match at Stirling. He is looking for another big performance at Cumbernauld but his main aim for the first part of the season is to try for a place on the Great Britain under-23 team for December’s European cross-country championships in Italy.
He said: “I did the trial last year but had a terrible race and finished 29th. I feel I’m more experienced now.”