Captain Eilidh Child leads Scots by example

Eilidh Child on her way to winning the Loughborough International 400m hurdles. Picture: Bobby Gavin

And Nony Mordi was another Scottish athlete to shine early on as she won the triple jump in her first serious outdoor competition for three years.

Mordi claimed a Glasgow 2014 standard and so did Mark Dry and Andy Frost in the hammer with both men over the 70 metre mark.

Olympic semi-finalist Child won in 56.34 to post her first Commonwealth Games standard for the 400m hurdles – the 15th Scottish athlete to do so following performances by David Bishop and Steph Twell over the previous 48 hours.

Bishop clocked one in a 1500m race in Los Angeles and Twell was inside the 15.45 required for the 5000m as her comeback after missing the Olympics last summer continues with promising results.

Child beat her training partner, Jessie Barr, and Meghan Beesley following a good start and, although unhappy with the second part of the race, felt a certain sense of relief at winning in Scotland colours once again.

“I was very nervous about today as I felt a bit of expectation after the indoor season,” said Child, who had an impressive season indoors over the 400m flat with silver in the Europeans in Gothenburg.

“I just have to get used to going over hurdles again! I started off well but then got my stride pattern wrong midway through the race and I am a bit annoyed – I had to chop my stride. But it is a win and inside the Commonwealth Games standard so it is a nice way to start the outdoor season. You want to get these qualifying times locked away early if you can. I am always proud to represent Scotland and it felt even better after being named as team captain.

“I didn’t make much of a speech at the team meeting because there are plenty of people there who have been to major championships but I did feel it was important for me to try and start us off with a win.

“I am told now that is six wins in individual events in nine years – it is not too shabby. Overall my aim for the season is just to get a big PB. The final of the World Champs has to be a goal, as well.”

Mordi, a doctor in Durham, proved a smart selection with 13.44m better than the 13.25 required for Glasgow and enough to win the competition for Scotland.

“I am absolutely delighted with that and it is my first outdoor competition for three years,” said Mordi. “I was injured for two and then started work and didn’t have the right life balance for training. That is better now and I am enjoying my athletics again. I was aware of 13.25 for Glasgow so it was great to get that under my belt this early in the season.”

Dry was third with 71.69 and Frost threw 70.03 – his first over 70m this season.

Jayne Nisbet cleared 1.84m in the women’s high jump to win the competition as a guest and post a Glasgow 2014 standard – after entering Miss Scotland a few weeks ago. “I entered but I didn’t make the short-list,” she smiled. “I am delighted with a win and 1.84. I even attempted 1.87 and went close and that would have been a PB. I was really into the competition by that stage and to win an event like this in my first outdoor one of the season is great.”