Another year has rolled around for our competitive athletes as the Age Group Scottish Championships make their return. Held over 2 weekends in Grangemouth, 6 Elgin AAC athletes journeyed down to a stacked and competitive field of athletes. As ever, our athletes were polite and friendly but had their fiery spirit and determined attitude and made us all proud.

Alongside a tough training season and ups-and-downs, our athletes came home with 10 Personal Bests, 9 Season Bests, 3 Club Records, and 5 medals!

 

Weekend 1 – U15’s and U20’s – 10th and 11th August

U15

Quentin – Quentin had a stellar weekend as our only U15 entrant. Quentin’s morning started off strong in the 100m, running a PB of 13.04. Fired up from his PB, Quentin started his afternoon in the Shot Putt circle with sights on 9 meters. With 6 throws, Quentin got further and further, with the last throw coming in at 9.17m – 99cm further than his previous best! Dashing quickly to the 200m, Quentin ran another personal best, clocking in at 27.40.

U20

Andrew – Competing up an age group, Andrew suddenly looked tiny amongst some of his peers. Long Jump was first for Andrew, making the final 6, he jumped 5.97m; a PB for himself and an equal PB to his now-conflicted coach. On day 2, Andrew swapped his jumping spikes for running spikes, and ran a PB of 12.05 in the 100m in a tough heat. Back in his jumping spikes, Andrew took to the Triple Jump runway and jumped 12.35m for a GOLD!

Lauren – Also competing an age group up and carrying a slight niggle, Lauren came to shine. A quick stop on day 1 for the 200m, Lauren ran 26.34, finishing 4th and narrowly missing out on a place in the final. Back for day 2, Lauren found herself at home in the 400m. After an easy heat, Lauren cruised to the final to run 58.51 – a personal best, an improvement on her own Club Record, and a SILVER medal to top it all off!

Lexi – Lexi liked to make it as challenging as possible for herself by packing all her events into the Sunday, also competing an age group up. In familiar territory, Lexi made the Long Jump final, rounding off the competition with a jump of 4.80m. Back on the runway for Triple Jump, Lexi continued her habit of making the final, finishing 5th with a jump of 10.31m. Lexi has made a gradual return to hurdles through the season, all culminating in this weekend. The final of the 100m Hurdles came, with Lexi crossing the line in 4th with a superb run of 17.28.

Tom – It’s not quite a visit to Grangemouth without Tom in tow, and luckily Tom made his appearance over the weekend. Day 1, Tom had rare company in the 400m Hurdles, finishing in 4th (which was nearly 3rd!) in a season’s best of 58.29. After a rare lie-in, Tom returned on day 2 for the ever familiar 110m Hurdles. Tom flew across the line in 16.39 and bagged himself a BRONZE medal!

 

Weekend 2 – U17 and Seniors – 17th and 18th August

U17

Andrew – Continuing from his amazing performances the previous weekend, Andrew’s determination didn’t stop. Day 1 and Andrew had his sights on Triple Jump. Another competitive field, Andrew rounded off his competing with a 12.90m, finishing in GOLD medal position and Scottish Champion! Competing in the 200m on day 2, Andrew found himself with a new personal best in the heats with 23.48 and a spot in the final. Andrew crossed the line in the final (alongside a Ross County pal) in 23.65. Back at Long Jump, Andrew was jumping further and further, eventually jumping a 6.44m (now definitely further than his coach) and a BRONZE medal for his efforts.

Lauren – Continuing her run of good form, Lauren showed up on day 1 to the 300m. Lauren finished her heat in a season’s best run of 41.14 and booked herself a spot in the final. In the final track event of the day, Lauren crossed the line in 41.42 in a very tough lineup. Up early for day 2, Lauren was up first in the 200m heats, finishing in 26.84 and with a spot in the semi-final. In an ever-competitive field, Lauren rounded off her Championships with a fantastic run of 26.45.

Lexi – Back for another go at Triple Jump, Lexi once again found herself in the final, jumping a great season’s best of 10.58 metres and finishing in 5th. Lexi returned in day 2 to another stacked field for Long Jump, jumping 4.90m and just missing out on a place in the final.

Seniors

Tamsin – Tamsin was back in her Elgin vest and back in her competitive ways. Up first was the 100m, with Tamsin coming home in 12.50, a season’s best! With one in her pocket, Tamsin came to day 2 with fire in the 200m. In the heats, Tamsin crossed the line in 25.50, another season’s best. With her infectious spirit, Tamsin decided to have one more season’s best in the 200m semi-finals, with an impressive 25.48.

Tom – Rounding off a busy season, Tom had his sights set on the hurdles. Venturing into the Senior field again, Tom’s first event on day 1 was the 400m Hurdle heats. Heat 1 came and gone, with Tom finishing in 57.75, qualifying for the final, running a personal best, and beating a Club Record all in one. Tom finished 7th in a very tough final. Day 2 and the return of the 110m Hurdles, Tom once again found himself in a very rare sight of Heats. Tom ran 16.03 – another personal best and Club Record and a spot in the final. Tom crossed the line in 5th, nicely rounding off his Championships.