Pupils are different class at Scottish Schools Athletics event

Jun 16 2012 by Paul Behan, Paisley Daily Express

PAISLEY athletes got gold fever at the Scottish Schools Athletics Championships at Grangemouth.

The Renfrewshire contingent left the opposition in their tracks as they won medals galore.

The gold medallists included Laura Stark, of St Columba’s, who won the Girls’ D 1,500m in a time of 4mins 59.44secs, while Gleniffer High School’s Gavin McArdle crossed the line first in the Boys’ B 1500m, timed at 4mins 3.82secs.

In terms of silver medals, Victoria Cleer of Johnstone High School was happy with her display – second in the Girls’ B 75m Hurdles, with a time of 11.70secs – while Mia Shepherd, of St Benedict’s, was runner-up in the Girls’ B Hammer, with a throw of 34.96m.

Other Renfrewshire athletes to win silver medals were as follows: Erin Gilchrist (High School of Glasgow) Girls’ C Javelin (28.25m), Kerry MacAngus, (Gryffe HS), Girls’ D 800m (2mins 23.46secs), Gwen Gillham, (Gryffe HS), Girls’ B 3,000m 10mins 30.04secs, Euan Gillham (Gryffe HS) Boys’ B 3,000m 8mins 48.87secs, Euan Trout, (Gryffe HS), Boys’ C 1,500m (4mins 28.73secs), Ewan Johnstone (Park Mains HS), Boys’ C High Jump (1.60m), Andrew Costello (Johnstone HS), Boys’ D Hammer (35.96m).

Bronze medallists included: Sarah Dempsey, (Gleniffer HS) Girls’ B 800m (2mins 14.40secs),

Katie Turnbull (Hutcheson’s GS), Girls’ C 1,500m 5mins 5.04secs, Callum Matthews (Castlehead HS), Boys’ B 3,000m 9mins 0.82secs, Gavin McArdle (Gleniffer HS), Boys’ B 800m 2mins 0.13secs, Euan Trout (Gryffe HS), Boys’ C 800m 2mins 10.08secs.

Many of the performances from the young athletes were personal bests.

They are all members of Kilbarchan Athletic Club and club officials were delighted with these various successes.

In other news, the ‘Habbies’ had a busload of members away to Grangemouth again, for the second meeting of the Central and South of Scotland League Division One, where they finished third.

Winners included Elaine Eadie (Senior Women’s 1,500m), Victoria Cleer (Under-15 girls’ 75m Hurdles), Kerry MacAngus (Under-15 girls’ 1,500m), Graham Evans (Senior 1,500m) Jack Lochans (Senior High Jump), Billy Russell (Under-17s 200m), Ewan Johnstone (Under-15 boys’ High Jump and Long Jump), Jonathon Gibson (Under-11 Long Jump).

Elsewhere, a group of Kilbarchan athletes travelled to compete in the Skye Half Marathon, with Paul Arcari the winner in 72mins 29secs.