The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Whelan inspired by team spirit in cross-country event
Junior hill running international Grace Whelan, from Fochabers, is hoping for a team medal when she makes her first appearance in the Scottish universities and colleges cross-country championships at Aberdeen’s Balgownie playing fields tomorrow.
The 17-year-old Moray athlete, who recently began studying for a degree in Immunology and Pharmacology, is part of a strong Aberdeen University squad hoping to at least emulate their silver-medal position behind Edinburgh from last year.
Whelan said: “Aberdeen finished second in the women’s team competition last year and that will be our aim again as Edinburgh have such a strong squad and will be favourites again. The first three runners will score for the team and we’ll have a lot of competition within the Aberdeen squad. Zoe Bates was third last year and she ran well in the national cross-country relay championships last weekend so I would expect her to do well again.
“Then there’s myself, Hannah Addison, Caitlin Arnott and Ali Hunter.
“The first 10 finishers will be selected to represent the Scottish universities and colleges team at the inter district championships in January so I’ll be trying for that.”
Edinburgh are favourites to win the team title for the eighth year in a row despite being without Great Britain internationals Mhairi Maclennan (Inverness) and Anna Macfadyen (Forres).
Banchory Stonehaven AC’s Claire Stewart will represent Glasgow University while Hannah Cameron carries Robert Gordon University’s hopes.
Jack Kerr, Rory Stead, Aaron Odentz, Phil Neilson, Rory Stead, Aaron Odentz,Andrew Love and Steven Murray lead Aberdeen’s squad in the men’s race while north-east athletes Felix Wilson and Alex Chepelin compete for Edinburgh and Hamish Hickey represents Stirling.