Canning proves she is a young Scot to watch

The St Aloysius College 14-year-old finished fourth in the Under-16 girls’ event, while Hollie Lister (St Mungo’s High) was another Scot who just missed out on a podium place with fourth in the Under-18 section.

In the boys’ Under-18, Girvan High School’s Andrew Murphy was a creditable fifth, while Dunblane High’s Daniel Polatajko was the top Scot in 11th place in the boys’ Under-16.

England dominated the event that is staged annually at the Kelvin Hall, taking all four team gold medals. Ireland’s Sarah McCarthey prevented an English clean sweep by winning the girls’ individual Under-18 title.

The Scots did show plenty potential, however. Canning was a promising cross-country and long-distance runner but she decided to switch to the multi-discipline event around 18 months ago. Without any serious training, she snatched the Scottish Under-15 Championships last February.

“I was good at the longer distance races and on the country but always wanted to give it a go on the track,” explained the youngster, who accumulated 3,049 points behind the 3,266 by the English winner, Ebony Wake. After I won the Scottish title I started training with Iain McEwan at Whitemoss Athletics’ Club in East Kilbride and he has made a huge difference.”

“When I joined him, I was a 4.5m long jumper and 1.4m in high jump. I had a PB of 5.2 in the long jump and 1.53 in the high jump. The only event that I didn’t do a PB was in the 800m. It is exciting to be improving all the time and now I’m looking forward to the Scottish Schools’ National Championships in February.The long-term aim is to make the 2018 Commonwealth Games team.” Murphy, who will be 17 on Boxing Day and is coached by Sandy Ewen, is the UK Champion in decathlon at Under-17 level. “I had a mixture of performances,” said Murphy, who won the shot putt with a 14.55m throw. “Decathlon is really my better event, but I’m hoping to do well in the Under-20 Heptathlon Championships at the start of next year.”

For England, it was a hugely successful championship. Joshua Clawore won the Under-18 boys’ gold and Anthony Hogg claimed the Under-16 title. Scotland took the team bronze in every category except the Under-18 girls’ championship where they finished with the wooden spoon.

RESULTS

1. (Team and Scottish individual)

Boys

Under-18: 1. England 2. Wales 3. Scotland 4.Ireland

5th Andrew Murphy (Girvan High) 11th Jamie Gemmill (Mearns Castle) 14th Alastair Stanley (High School of Glasgow) 15th Donavan Webster (Montrose Academy)

Under-16

1. England 2. Ireland 3. Scotland 4. Ireland

11th Daniel Polatajko (Dunblane High) 13th Tom Chandler (Balfron High) 14th Gareth Fleming (Newbattle High) 16th Harry Matthews (Glasgow Academy)

Girls

Under-18

1. England 2. Ireland 3. Wales 4. Scotland

4th Hollie Lister (St Mungo’s High) 12th Ellen McPherson (Dalkeith High) 15th Carolyn Harvey (Belmont Academy) 16th Nikki Manson (Woodfarm High)

Under-16

1. England 2. Ireland 3. Scotland 4. Wales

4th Emma Canning (St Aloysius) 9th Pamela McNicol (Carluke High) 12th Alison Stewart (Calderglen High) 14th Emily Batchelor (Dunblane High).