Young athletes plan star date

Published 18 Aug 2010 14:00 0 Comments

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TOP OF THE CLASS: Talented youngsters from Inverclyde AC, pictured with World and Commonwealth medallist Lee McConnell, front left.

THE Inverclyde AC contingent were delighted to land a competition win on a hot and sunny Sunday afternoon at Scotstoun Stadium.

The club had the highest percentage of junior athletes participating in the Bank of Scotland age-group championships.

A presentation was made at the podium by top Scottish athlete Lee McConnell, head coach Laurier Primeau and Bank of Scotland representative Karen Tighe.

Chief executive Nigel Holls payed tribute to the club’s development plan, which has participation in all athletic events as a central goal.

The club is now eagerly anticipating their prize of a session with Lee, Laurier and event coaches.

On the track, the star athlete for the club was undoubtedly sprinter Shaun Tonner.

In his first year of competition and in the younger group of the under-17 men’s age group, Shaun came fifth in both the 100m final on Saturday and the 200m on Sunday, gaining two new PBs on the way.

The competition was a steep learning curve for Shaun as he had to come through a heat and a semi-final in the 100m on Saturday before reaching the final. To his credit, he ran faster in each round.

In the 200m on Sunday, Shaun was well in control as he eased into the final, and was involved in a photo-finish decision for third place in a very close race.

Greg Williams, also a first year in the under-17 age group, took fifth place in the final event of the championship, the 1500m steeplechase, after gaining a new PB in the 800m event earlier in the day.

The club’s remaining finalist on Sunday was Andrew Kelham, who as a first year in the under-15 boys age group, took seventh in the 800m event.

The first day of the championships also involved the under-13 superteams, and Inverclyde AC had 11 athletes taking part. with the boys and girls A teams finishing in a creditable 12th place

Many thanks to Emma Steele and Julie Simpson for team managing the superteams on Saturday, and to Rhona Bushfield, Kenny Morrison, Claire Munn, Emma and Julie for team management and support on the Sunday.

Inverclyde AC junior sessions on Tuesdays are now returned to normal, with the under-11s meeting at Ravenscraig Sport Centre at 5pm, and the under-13 run-jump-throw group at Inverclyde Academy at 5pm. Both these groups move out to the track at 6pm.

All other training groups meet at Ravenscraig Stadium at 5pm, and on Thursday all groups meet at Battery Park at 5pm. New members from age are welcome to attend any of the above sessions.

Results for the superteams, listed as 100m, long jump, shot putt (* denotes PB).

U13: Melissa Campopiano 14.82, 3m02, 5m98; Erin Haldane 15.27, 3m61, 6m50; Olivia Gemmell 15.99, 3m43, 3m57; Emily Matlock 16.52, 3m07, 5m14; Abbie Fyfe 18.25, 2m57, 4m92; Jill McGachy 16.92, 2m88, 2m99; Kim Simpson 18.92, 2m63; Ross Gray 15.76, 3m71, 5m95; Lewis Kelham 16.58, 3m35, 4m61; Niall Smith 16.61, 2m39, 3m71; Adam Stinson 17.54, 3m44, 4m36.

U15: L. Thomson 100m 15.03; C Simpson 1500m 5:50.1; E Semple 800m 2:45.32; K Williams 800m 2:59*; H Stinson 800m 2:55.07; J Houston 1500m 4:52.94; A Kelham 800m 2:19.42.

U17: S Tonner 100m 11.92*; 200m 23.71*; M Thomson 400m 56.84; G Williams 800m 2:08.35*, 1500m S/C 5:10.68; M Houston 800m 2:12.36; R Kelham 800m 2:05 54; R Munn 800m 2:29.

This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 18 Aug 10

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