Joel McFarlane shines on international stage

Carnoustie High School’s Joel McFarlane is a multiple winner from the Scottish Schools’ Outdoor Championships and the Angus youngster underlined his all-round talent by finishing second in the Under-16 section in the annual Schools’ International Pentathlon Championship at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow.

Joel McFarlane with his gold medals from the age-group Indoor Championships. Picture: Bobby Gavin

Joel, who also won three gold medals in this year’s Indoor Championships, helped the Scottish team finish second in the age-group.

The home side finished runners-up in the girls’ Over-16s and was third in the boys’ Over-16s and girls’ Under-16s. England won all four titles.

Olivia Vareille (Holy Cross High School) was the top Scot with an eighth individual placing in the girls’ Under-16s, Holly McArthur (KIlsyth Academy) just missed out on a medal with a fourth place in the girls’ Over-16s and Scott Connal (Lenzie Academy) was also fourth in the boys’ Over-16s.

Joel’s cousin, Daniel McFarlane, who is home schooled by his parents in Inverness, was ninth in the 
Over-16s.The McFarlanes are both talented youngsters who hope to go and reach the top of the sport. They are both keen to become multi-discipline specialists and could be decathlon rivals and team-mates in years to come.