Photo by Gordon Innes
Preview by Moira Maguire
Glasgow Jaguars head to Derby for the first match of the 2006 National Athletics League this weekend.
The Scottish representatives will face stiff competition on Saturday from Harrow, Thames Valley, Windsor Slough Eton and Hounslow, Woodford Green and Essex Ladies, Birchfield and newly promoted Tonbridge and Swansea.
In a season where athletes are chasing qualification marks for Glasgow Commonwealth Games, European Championships, U18 European Championships and World U20 Championships, good conditions play a big part, and the predicted heatwave will be very welcome.
A team of experience and youth will head south. Among the stalwarts will be Andrew Peck (Discus and Shot), Ewan Purves (400 and 800), Struan Linton (100, 200, 4×100) William Bailey (Javelin), Sam Fernando (S/Chase and 5k), Hannah Wallace ( Long Jump), Kathryn Christie ( 400 and 4×100), Becky Dunphy ( S/Chase), Euan Wallace (110MH).
More familiar Jaguar names would be: Scott Connal (110MH,) Ben Macaffer (LJ), Laura Buchan ( LJ) Caitlin Purcell ( 800 and 1500), Kirsty Purcell (1500), Kiera Maxell (Discus), Haley Elliot ( Javelin) and Anise Macauley Orr (800).
Triple jump duo Bera Ajala and Silver Nwabuzor competed for Scotland at Loughborough (photo by Bobby Gavin)
It is another weekend on the move for Bera Ajala (TJ and LJ), Owen Murphy (100, 200 and 4×100) Mhairi Patience (100MH and 4×400) Sam Fernando (S/Chase and 5k), Struan Linton (100, 200, 4×100) and Silver Nwabuzor (TJ), who opened their seasons strongly, while representing Scotland in the Loughborough International.
Luc Macleod (400 and 4×400) and Charis Crawford, currently top ranked U20 in the UK, competed in the GB Junior team and Luc will be looking for a fast race as he targets a spot in the GB team for the U20 World Championships.
Kishi Aremu (100M and 4×100) ran in the 4×100 Futures team, gaining valuable experience.
Stacey Downie, who brought home four medals from the recent European Masters Athletics Indoor Championships in March, including gold in the 200M, goes in that event on Saturday.
Pulling on the pink and black after her first Scottish Senior international in the 100MH at Loughborough, Holly Whittaker goes in the 100M and 100MH, looking for good race conditions as she homes in on a qualification time for the World U20 Championships.
Joining Holly as Jaguars newbies are Daniel Rendon (PV), Luke Gay (400MH), Owen Leonard (4×100), Sophie Robertson (Hammer), currently heading the U18 rankings, Skye Davidson (Javelin), Erin Hall (TJ), Ihinosen Ibhanesebhor (100,200 and 4×100). Lauren Abbot (400 and 4×400), Emily Fawkes (4×400), Erin McGurk 4×400), Sam McCarthy (5k), Alex Poustie Williams (4×400) and Alice Baxendale (Shot and Discus).
James Anderson (HJ) will the furthest travelled making his way from Stornoway and taking advantage of being on the mainland by also competing in the Bedford Games on Monday.
Luc MacLeod in action for GB Juniors at Loughborough (photo by Bobby Gavin)
The team management appreciate the support of the athletes, on a busy weekend and hope they are rewarded with good performances.
Jaguars will travel with the full quota of Officials and Alistair Aitchison is Track Referee at the meeting. Three Officials are taking advantage of the opportunity to gain out of area reports.
Without the sponsorship from Glasgow Life and Joma it would have been impossible to continue to offer this competitive pathway to the athletes competing this weekend and we are indebted to them for their support.
scottishathletics have continued to provide invaluable administrative support in ensuring the eligibility of the athletes, with the recent changes in membership systems and age groups.
Full results can be found on OpenTrack and the event is being streamed by Vinco Sports.
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Tags:
Derby, Glasgow Jaguars