Nieve Hannell wins tight finish in the U20 Women;s 800m final at Aberdeen (photo by Bobby Gavin)
By Peter Jardine, Head of Communications
Note: Report subject to checking and additions. It is not intended to be comprehensive in terms of performances but rather seeks to give an overview with some highlights. Thanks.
One glance through the career profiles of Sarah Calvert and Sarah Tait (hereafter to be referred to as Sarah C and Sarah T) would tell you the value of our 4J Age Group Champs.
We like to think of the event as combining both development and performance covering as it does the U13 and U15 age groups as well as the U20s.
The U20 programme is spread over two days and that works because it gives athletes in each of the two younger age groups the opportunity to see – right before their eyes on the track and in the field in Aberdeen – the pathway in Scotland.
Sarah C and Sarah T are effectively now recent ‘graduates’ of that pathway with the new UK champion at 1500m having competed for Livingston in these events in her teens (Sarah C) and the GB Senior international steeplechaser from Lasswade likewise in her early years in the sport (Sarah T).
Both wore their club vests at the UK Champs when claiming gold and silver recently – and both those club vests were among many on display at Aberdeen on Saturday.
Strong entry numbers helped generate good competition and an atmosphere to savour among athletes, coaches, Officials and volunteers.
On these occasions, the #SALtogether ethos can help everyone and a culture of support, encouragement and positive thinking is very much what the governing body hopes to generate – while acknowledging there are issues.
Holly Whittaker on her way to superb Long Jump PB at 6.03m (photo by Bobby Gavin)
Volunteer helpers assisting Officials to deliver the 4J Age Groups is part of that and we hope our U15 athletes relished their championship experience at the superb facilities of Aberdeen Sports Village.
There was even an inclusive element with Frame Runner Finlay Menzies, selected for the World Para Champs in India, given a run out over 100m while attending a classification assessment in Aberdeen. We understand the Livingston AC athlete’s place in the GB and NI team for India has now been confirmed. Great news.
In performance terms, one of the U20 highlights was certainly in the Women’s Long Jump. U17 athlete Holly Whittaker leapt to a…
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