Paxton takes pole with new Scots record

Published on Saturday 20 June 2009 19:37

POLE vaulter Henrietta Paxton, who recently switched allegiances from England to Scotland, smashed her adopted nation's record in the sport yesterday.

The Birchfield athlete took the Scottish national title with a leap of 4.06 metres to add one centimetre to the previous mark held by the absent champion Kirsty Maguire of Edinburgh AC.

Maguire was prevented from defending her title on the first day of the Scottish Championships at Pitreavie Stadium due to her work commitments as a doctor.

"It was a great time to do it," said 25-year-old Paxton of her performance and declared she had no regrets at defecting. "I've had far more support from Scotland and didn't feel part of the team when I competed for England."

Paxton, a sports science graduate, had actually competed against Scotland in last year's Loughborough International and has an indoor best of 4.12m set earlier this year.

The blustery weather did not prevent another "newcomer" to the blue vest Lennie Waite of Rice University in Houston from capturing the 3,000 metres steeplechase in 10:19.22, nearly 40 seconds slower than her recent Scottish national mark set in the USA.

Waite, who was born in Paisley of American parents, making her a bona fide qualifier, had not been to Scotland for 10 years since her sister Billy graduated in biology at Edinburgh University.

Another non-resident who has achieved a 2010 Commonwealth Games qualifier is Jamie Stevenson, who won the shot title for the first time with a putt of 17.04m.

Jayne Nisbet of Edinburgh AC came closest of the home Scots to making her mark for Delhi, attempting and failing 1.83m after clearing 1.80m to win the high jump for the fourth year in a row in a welcome return to form.

Against the odds Louise Dickson of Edinburgh AC retained her 100 metres title in 12.37 secs into a headwind, pushing the favourite Stacey Downie from Pitreavie into third place.