Recent Weeks

I haven't posted for some time now and was asked on Tuesday where I had gone! So in response here are some comments on recent weeks.
First, although I missed the CSS League match last weekend because of family stuff, I spoke to most of the athletes concerned and it seemed to have been a good match. Few events and many age groups is the description of the league that does it justice: age groups go from Under 11 up to senior and veteran for men and women - ie if every event turns out the full quota there are 14 separate groups. So hats off to Phil and Donald who did the organising. The growing strength of the younger and newer members was seen in the performances of Ronan and Charlotte Ross, Cairn Wallace, Kyle Higgins, Liam Lorimer and all the others: Kyle showed traces of his Dad when he started off far too easily in the 200 metres, then woke up when he was shouted on - and won! Ronan in his first match had two good second places, Charlotte stepped up a distance to 1200 metres and Cairn ran a much better 1200 than in the first match at Scotstoun. The story was the same up through the age groups with the regulars such as Andrew Hunter, David Campbell, Roisin Coyle, Erin, Emily, Claire all performing up to expectations and encouraging the younger ones by example. The seniors all did well too winning their share of the points although a coupkle more at this end would help tremendously. Phil reckons we could well get promoted this year, so let's go for it in the last match!
Tuesdays at St Peter's are becoming busier - we are seeing more new members every week: this week there were three new ones and I look forward to seeing them all improve as Liam Lorimer, Charlie and the rest have done. The coaches on the night are all looking good - David Ross with his small group, Paul Ross and Joe Higgins with the Under 12's, Phil with his endurance group and of course the older sprinters. Returnees include Anton Russell and Andy Cusick - makes a good group of U20/early seniors with Johnathan, Peter and David. The makings of a another generation of senior track and field athletes are there.
I have deliberately left John Hanratty for another blog - his group is improving every week.