Clydesdale Harriers Success on the Track

Clydesdale Harriers were in action again in the Scottish Athletics Indoor League in Kelvin Hall last week where they fielded thirteen teams, from under 11’s to under 20’s.  This was the second of three meetings in this competition where more than 30 clubs are battling it out for a place in the finals in February.   Clydesdale Harriers enjoyed considerable success both in terms of points and by the growing numbers of athletes who are turning out for competition.

Firs out were the under 11 boys.  Stuart Aird battled courageously despite the withdrawal of team mates due to injury and finished in joint 15^th place with Ayr Seaforth and Beith.

The under 13 boys entered two teams and finished a credible 14^th and 17^th respectively.  They were Aiden Fergie, Ronan Ross, Aaron Smith Kieran Goggins, Thomas Hearns and Luke Lindup.

The under 15 boy’s demonstrated their athletic versatility when they stood in for team mates who could not attend on the day.  Brian Aird, Stephen Kane, Lewis Hay, Lewis McLeod, Vishal Meehan and Lewis Priest all gave convincing performances to take their teams to 10^th and 13^th in the overall standings.

Congratulations to Lewis Priest.  The Clydesdale lad has been chosen to represent the West District in the Inter Districts event in Edinburgh on January 5^th.  Good luck, we all wish you well.

The under 17 men, who finished in second place after the first meeting and have their eye on the final were determined to keep to the task, despite the organisers decision to remove the 400m race from the competition.  The team had scored maximum points from this event and omitting it from match two would have consequences for the boys and tough decisions to be made by manager Phil Dolan.  Following some tactical changes, they did not let the pressure affect their goal of reaching the final, and the determination of Todi Akinkumni, David Campbell and Andrew Hunter was such, that by the end of the second meeting they lead the table in joint first position.  Way to Go Clydesdale!

Well done to Pat McCloskey in the under 20 men events who worked tirelessly to finish in the top ten.

The girl’s events saw a mixture of experienced young athletes compete with some who were new to the competition circuit.   Sarah Goggins, Chloe Allan, Natasha Shaw, Penny Donaghy, Jade Milne, Carly Wishart and Caitlin Stuart represented Clydesdale in the under 13 cat.  With the teams finishing well in 9^th and 13^th place they will go into the last match with the confidence to improve their standings overall.

The under 15 girls fielded two teams in a field of twenty nine teams.  Rachel Campbell, Rachel Meehan and Iona Allan fought each race with confidence to finish match two in eleventh position, while Aimee Abbott and Charlotte Ross, reduced to a team of two battled with determination to finish in a credible joint 17^th position. Well done girls.

The under 17 girls worked confidently and tirelessly.  Karyn Glen, Emily Paxton and Louise Steele Milne covered all events and completed the days work in joint fifth position.  This is a tremendous achievement and well deserved.

There was no doubt about the winner in the under 20 women’s events with Clare Reed carrying the flag for this category and finishing the out right winner in first place.  Go Claire!

Match three in January will be held in the new Emirates Stadium and the line up for the finals will be decided then. Good luck to all the athletes who are taking part.

Pauline Campbell