13-05-2010, 10:21 AM
Six squads per gender were announced today for scottishathleticsââ¬â¢ Inter-Regional Championships taking place Sunday 16th May at Wishaw Sports Centre from 10:00-17:00.
The first team to be announced was West Coast, with team captains Kris Robertson (Kirkintilloch Olympians, 200m) and Claire Reid (Morpeth Harriers, shot put, discus).
First time captain Kris Robertson, who aims to retain West Coastââ¬â¢s title, said: ââ¬ÅWe won last year, so this year itââ¬â¢s about winning again. For me, itââ¬â¢s about motivating the team on the day and getting the best performance out of everyone. Itââ¬â¢s early in the season, it will be my first run, but itââ¬â¢s just about getting everybody in the right frame of mind.ââ¬Â
Tayside & Fife was the next team put together, led by captains Graeme Oudney (Belgrave Harriers/Dundee Hawkhill Harriers, 800m, 4x400m) and Jackie Tendal (Pitreavie AAC, 100mH, long jump, high jump, 4x100m). Paul Allan, Tayside & Fife Regional Team Manager, said: ââ¬ÅThis yearââ¬â¢s team is strong across the board, particularly in womenââ¬â¢s throws where we have traditionally been strong, and across distance.ââ¬Â
East Regional Team Jamie McDonald is confident his squad will perform better than last year. ââ¬ÅIââ¬â¢m am sure this yearââ¬â¢s East team can grown on their fourth place finish last year,ââ¬Â said McDonald. ââ¬ÅThere is a real mix in the team with some exciting young talent, such as Hope Robertson, Greg Louden and Guy Learmonth, alongside a number of experienced athletes led by team captain Susan McKelvie (Edinburgh AC, hammer).ââ¬Â
Scot Thompson steps up to captain the Highlands, Islands & Grampian [HIG] menââ¬â¢s team and defend his 2009 discus and shot putt titles. Heââ¬â¢ll lead some impressive team-mates, such as Ian Garioch, current BUCS [British Universities & Colleges Sport] indoor 400m champion. And James MacPhail will make his debut at the event in the B string 400m.
HIG womenââ¬â¢s captain Kathryn Evans (Edinburgh AC) will be a strong contender in the 200m and 400m as well as Catriona Pennet in the sprint hurdles. Gemma Cormack and Rhona Auckland should also be a formidable team in the 1500m. Julie Wyatt the Highland Regional Development Manager is also competing in the shot putt and discus and will be looking to build on recent personal best performances.
ââ¬ÅOur team looks to be stronger in depth this year and we will hope to build on last yearââ¬â¢s performance, this competition is an interesting mix of athletes looking for performances and also good team players willing to gain valuable match points,ââ¬Å commented HIG Regional Team Manager Ally Love.
Scottish cross-country champion Alistair Hay (Central AC, 1500m, 800m) will captain Central men and Morag MacLarty (Central AC, 800m) leads Central women. Hay is still looking for a Commonwealth Games qualifying time and Central team-mate Emma Raven is looking to beat the 2000m S/C Scottish record. Raven beat the current record time by nearly seven seconds at the North East Counties at Gateshead recently but the performance was not eligible to go down in the record books as Raven was the only competitor in the event.
ââ¬ÅOur endurance side is strong. Weââ¬â¢ve got Alistair in the 800m and Emma after the Scottish record. It will be a competitive weekend sure to push our athletes to deliver good performances,ââ¬Â said Central Regional Team Manager Liz Fancis.
West City selected menââ¬â¢s captain Sean Watson (Shettleston Harriers, 400m), who placed fourth in the 400m at the BUCS Championships, and womenââ¬â¢s captain Lucinda Logan (VP-Glasgow AC, high jump), who placed third at BUCS Championships in the high jump.
West City Regional Team Manager Brian Donaldson said: ââ¬ÅIn the last two days we have had several drop-outs due to injury, which will affect the overall performance of the team but I think all the athletes and coaches have really put themselves forward for this event and will deliver on the day.ââ¬Â
The six regions will compete across all athletics disciplines for the Innes Trophy, in memory of former scottishathletics official John Innes, and ã3,400 of prize money. Individual athletes also compete for points to win the Stewarts Golden League series jackpot of ã1,000.
The first team to be announced was West Coast, with team captains Kris Robertson (Kirkintilloch Olympians, 200m) and Claire Reid (Morpeth Harriers, shot put, discus).
First time captain Kris Robertson, who aims to retain West Coastââ¬â¢s title, said: ââ¬ÅWe won last year, so this year itââ¬â¢s about winning again. For me, itââ¬â¢s about motivating the team on the day and getting the best performance out of everyone. Itââ¬â¢s early in the season, it will be my first run, but itââ¬â¢s just about getting everybody in the right frame of mind.ââ¬Â
Tayside & Fife was the next team put together, led by captains Graeme Oudney (Belgrave Harriers/Dundee Hawkhill Harriers, 800m, 4x400m) and Jackie Tendal (Pitreavie AAC, 100mH, long jump, high jump, 4x100m). Paul Allan, Tayside & Fife Regional Team Manager, said: ââ¬ÅThis yearââ¬â¢s team is strong across the board, particularly in womenââ¬â¢s throws where we have traditionally been strong, and across distance.ââ¬Â
East Regional Team Jamie McDonald is confident his squad will perform better than last year. ââ¬ÅIââ¬â¢m am sure this yearââ¬â¢s East team can grown on their fourth place finish last year,ââ¬Â said McDonald. ââ¬ÅThere is a real mix in the team with some exciting young talent, such as Hope Robertson, Greg Louden and Guy Learmonth, alongside a number of experienced athletes led by team captain Susan McKelvie (Edinburgh AC, hammer).ââ¬Â
Scot Thompson steps up to captain the Highlands, Islands & Grampian [HIG] menââ¬â¢s team and defend his 2009 discus and shot putt titles. Heââ¬â¢ll lead some impressive team-mates, such as Ian Garioch, current BUCS [British Universities & Colleges Sport] indoor 400m champion. And James MacPhail will make his debut at the event in the B string 400m.
HIG womenââ¬â¢s captain Kathryn Evans (Edinburgh AC) will be a strong contender in the 200m and 400m as well as Catriona Pennet in the sprint hurdles. Gemma Cormack and Rhona Auckland should also be a formidable team in the 1500m. Julie Wyatt the Highland Regional Development Manager is also competing in the shot putt and discus and will be looking to build on recent personal best performances.
ââ¬ÅOur team looks to be stronger in depth this year and we will hope to build on last yearââ¬â¢s performance, this competition is an interesting mix of athletes looking for performances and also good team players willing to gain valuable match points,ââ¬Å commented HIG Regional Team Manager Ally Love.
Scottish cross-country champion Alistair Hay (Central AC, 1500m, 800m) will captain Central men and Morag MacLarty (Central AC, 800m) leads Central women. Hay is still looking for a Commonwealth Games qualifying time and Central team-mate Emma Raven is looking to beat the 2000m S/C Scottish record. Raven beat the current record time by nearly seven seconds at the North East Counties at Gateshead recently but the performance was not eligible to go down in the record books as Raven was the only competitor in the event.
ââ¬ÅOur endurance side is strong. Weââ¬â¢ve got Alistair in the 800m and Emma after the Scottish record. It will be a competitive weekend sure to push our athletes to deliver good performances,ââ¬Â said Central Regional Team Manager Liz Fancis.
West City selected menââ¬â¢s captain Sean Watson (Shettleston Harriers, 400m), who placed fourth in the 400m at the BUCS Championships, and womenââ¬â¢s captain Lucinda Logan (VP-Glasgow AC, high jump), who placed third at BUCS Championships in the high jump.
West City Regional Team Manager Brian Donaldson said: ââ¬ÅIn the last two days we have had several drop-outs due to injury, which will affect the overall performance of the team but I think all the athletes and coaches have really put themselves forward for this event and will deliver on the day.ââ¬Â
The six regions will compete across all athletics disciplines for the Innes Trophy, in memory of former scottishathletics official John Innes, and ã3,400 of prize money. Individual athletes also compete for points to win the Stewarts Golden League series jackpot of ã1,000.