Schools athletics: Kathryn Christie finishes school career with impressive double win

ATHLETICS: Kathryn Christie (Aboyne Academy) ended her long and hugely successful Scottish Schools’ athletics career in style at the weekend when she was awarded the Frances Barker Shield for the outstanding girls’ performance at the Aviva Championships at Grangemouth.

The 17-year-old won the 100m in an impressive 12.20 secs, but her really outstanding effort came with a personal best and a Scottish schools’ record of 24.65 secs in the 200m.

The award comes just a week after she claimed the same sprint double at the Scottish National Championships.

“The 100m time was into a headwind so I was very happy with it and I’m thrilled with the 200m time,” said the sixth-year pupil. “I’ve competed every year at the outdoor and indoor schools’ championships and this is a great way to round if off.

“I plan to go to Aberdeen College to study sociology and then go on and join the police.”

Athletics will also feature strongly in her future. Coached by William Russell at the Banchory and Stonehaven Club, she has a hectic programme over the next few weeks.

Firstly, there is the AAA Championships at Bedford followed by the British Olympic trials in Birmingham.

“The Olympic trials are all about experience,” said the teenager from Finzean. “I’ll be going in both sprints and it is going to be so tough but such a great opportunity.

“The 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow are definitely a target. But I’ll have to keep improving and keep training hard.”

Neil Gourley (Williamwood High School) won the Eric Liddell Memorial Trophy for the outstanding boys’ performance. He won the boys’ A 800m in 1:52.77.

Ross Maxwell (Cathkin High School) was another outstanding athlete with a hat-trick of titles – 100m, 200m and long jump in the boys’ B section.

Emma Bowie (Speyside High School), a gold medal winner at last month’s Sainsbury’s UK School Games, added to her victory haul by taking the girls’ B hammer with a 47.90m throw.

Another four records tumbled at the Championships. Kimberley Reed (Drummond Community High School) won the girls’ A hammer in 52.70m and, in the boys’ D section, Craig Moriarty (St Columba’s RC School) took the pole vault gold with a 2.70 clearance and Ben Greenwood (Perth Academy) claimed the 800m in 2:05.68.

The fifth record came in a new event – the girls’ A 1,500m steeplechase. Halina Rees (St Leonard’s School) took the honours with an excellent 5:23.69.