Schools athletics: Cherrie happy with squad despite exam call-offs

Despite a clash with the Scottish Standard Grade and Higher exams, Scotland has still picked a strong athletics squad for the Sainsbury’s UK School Games in London on 6-8 May.

“A few had to turn down selection because of exams but we also have some sitting standard grade and Higher geography during the event,” said team manager Kay Cherrie.

“It is difficult to make predictions because we never know the strength of the other teams, but I have high hopes in the middle distance events.”

Hannah Lawler (Coltness High School) is aiming for a second medal having taken bronze in the pole vault in Sheffield last year, while Kirkwall Grammar’s 14-year-old Thora Cant holds a string of titles in the javelin, including the Scottish Under-16 National title. Cherrie has been in charge of the Scottish team since the UK Schools’ Games were launched in Glasgow six years ago. “It is great that the kids get the chance to take part in a multi-sport event,” she said. “It lets them experience what it could be like to go on to make a Commonwealth games or Olympic team.

“I’m hoping that some of the members of the Glasgow team six years ago will be back in Glasgow for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.”

Meanwhile, earlier this month, this column recently got it wrong in naming the winner of the Junior boys’ title at the Aviva Schools Cross Country Home Internationals at Strathallan School as Joss instead of Josh Kerr.

So apologies to the George Watson’s College youngster – and well done again for being the only Scottish winner.

Boys: James Higgins, Joseph Amouzo (both Glasgow School of Sport), Ben Robbins (George Watson’s College), Calum McWilliams (Mearns Castle High School), Max Lancaster (Wiilliamwood High School), Lewis Boyle (Bishopbriggs Academy), Ryan Thomson (St Peter the Apostle), Bruce Miller (Balwearie High School), Taylor Nimmo (Graeme High School), Jack Lawrie (Beath High School), Ryan Hewitson (Kincorth Academy), Ross Maxwell (Cathkin High School), Fraser O’Rourke (Hutchesons’ Grammar School), Robbie Nairn (Currie Community High School), Ben Main (Greenfaulds High School), James Armstrong (Wellington School), Ciaran Wright (St Mungo’s RC High School), Alex Thomas (Stonelaw High School), Greg Docherty (Douglas Academy).

Girls: Lindsay Young, Emma Caldow (both Robert Gordon’s College), Evie Semple (Clydeview High School), Mhairi Hendry (Hamilton Grammar), Kathryn Gillespie (Dollar Academy), Eilidh Prise (Cults Academy), Mhairi Patience (Douglas Academy), Kirsty McKean (George Watson’s College), Ellen Kirstorpherson (Dalkeith High School), Rachel Roberston (Newbattlte High School), Ellen Robertson (Arbroath High School), Hannah Lawler (Coltness High School), Nicola MacKay (St Aloysius College), Skye Petrie (Montrose Academy), Thora Cant (Kirkwall Grammar School), Emma Bowie (Speyside High School), Niamh Guest, Jennifer Boyd (both perth Grammar School), Caitlin Stewart (Park Mains High School), Louise Brett (Perth College).