Young Kilmarnock Harriers hindered by injury

Dec 19 2008 by Clair Fullarton, Kilmarnock Standard

THIS is the time of year where a number of runners traditionally spend much of their time training hard, with the odd race thrown in for good measure.

So it is perhaps a good time to focus on one of the age groups which Kilmarnock Harriers cater for, the Under 15s.

Hard working coaches Graham, Brian and Yvonne put in hours of hard work helping the group, and would like to take the opportunity to thank their dedicated charges.

Despite injury, illness, or both, and therefore being unable to perform to their peak, Evan Cornforth and Stephanie Sloan represented Kilmarnock Harriers whenever possible and gave some good performances.

Long-term injuries were also suffered by Luke McGill, Christopher Mair, and Robert and Angus Cochrane, but thankfully all are back light training and should be fit for next year.

Lorne Kerr had an excellent run to pick up silver in the 100m final at Meadowbank, running 14.53, while Gemma McCutcheon won bronze at the shot putt at the same event.

Amanda Humes had an excellent run at the Scottish Secondary Schools Cross Country at Irvine Beach Park finishing a commendable ninth.

Another excellent day for the group came at the All Ayrshire School Finals. Although all the competing group fared very well, special mention must be made of three girls who are training partners.

First of all Eve Kerr won the First Year Girls race for 1500m, demolishing the stadium record for the event – clocking an excellent time of 5.22.5.

Then Amanda Humes took part in the First Year Girls 800m race which took place just after Eve had set her stadium record, and she also rose to the challenge, setting a venue-best time of 2.31.5, and finishing ahead of the boys who were competing at the same time.

Bethany Ross was the girl whose record from the previous year Amanda had beat, and, not one to be outdone by her training partners, she won the Second Year 800m race, also beating the Second Year Girls stadium record by running a time of 2.26.8, an outstanding feat by the three girls.

Further success that day: Stephanie Sloan (Bronze, 1500m, 2nd year girls), Cameron Mackie (Bronze, 800m, 3rd Year Boys), Ross Connelly (Bronze, 800m, Senior Boys), Gemma McCutcheon (Silver 200m, Bronze 100m), Roy Shankland (Gold 200m, Gold Long Jump), Fergus Morris (Bronze 800m), Laura Reilly (Silver, Long jump).

Special mentions to Grant Beattie and Laura Reilly who always give their best when competing, with Grant always having a smile on his face.

There were also some excellent results for the age group at the recent Ayrshire Schools Cross Country. Cameron Mackie came 13th, Roy Shankland was seventh, Evan Cornforth 14th, and Fergus Morris was 11th.

Amanda Humes took gold in the 2nd Year Girls Race with Eve Kerr, fourth. Stephanie Sloan took fifth in the 3rd Year Girls race.

There were also some excellent performances by the group at the Ayrshire Track and Field Championships, and some sterling displays for the Ayrshire Athletics league team, with almost everyone running, throwing or jumping personal bests throughout the season.

Hannah Bartl represented Kilmarnock Harriers at the first Open Graded Indoor Meeting of the season at Grangemouth, and it was a successful debut for Hannah's first event in her new age group, under-13s.

She managed a respectable distance of 5.50m in the shot putt and achieved an excellent PB in the long jump, her longest jump of 3.70m qualified for inclusion in the Power of 10 ranking list for this age goup.