Horrendous weather conditions resulted in the postponement of the 2017 Scottish Cross Country Championships until the end of April. The Championships are organised by Scottish Athletics and Scottish Disability Sport and Disability Sport Fife was represented by athletes from Woodmill HS, Balwearie HS, Lochgelly HS, Levenmouth Academy, Bell Baxter HSand Fife AC.
There were many fine performances by Fife junior athletes but it was Fife AC athletes Sam Fernando and Carter Taylor who turned in the outstanding senior performances of the day. Competing over 3K they finished first and second respectively with Sam recording 12.30 and Carter 13.58. Sam is one of the leading class T20 middle distance athletes in the UK with a very bright future ahead. Carter has only recently taken up cross country and track racing but he is improving with ever race. Sam is coached by Ron Morrison and Carter by Steve Doig at Fife AC. Brandon Eason from Balwearie HS was the only junior competing over 3K and he finished in third place in his event.
In the girls 2K race (S3-S6)Louise Harley from Lochgelly HS continued her fine run of form with a another win. Allan Wilson from Levenmouth Academy also recorded a win in 11.12 in the S1/S2 boys 2K race. Mathew Blair from Woodmill HS won silver in 10.32 in the 2K race for S5/S6 boys.
There was only one Fife winner in the 1K races and that was the brilliant young Sophie Coughlin (S1) from Bell Baxter HS in 6.52. Sophie’s time was the fifth fastest female 1K time of the day and she is only a first year pupil. A young athlete with a very promising future.
Megan Wilson Woodmill HS won silver in the S2 girls 1k, Marie Davidson Levenmouth Academy won bronze in S2 girls 1K, Kerry Kotlewski Bell Baxter HS won bronze in S4 girls 1K and Billie Lowe Balwearie HS won bronze in the S6 girls 1K.
Edwin Barron from Woodmill HS won silver in the S2 boys 1K, Arran Howe from Bell Baxter HS won silver in the S4 boys 1K, and Balwearie HS pupils Reece Dickson and Calum Robertson won silver and bronze respectively in the S6 boys 1K race.
Once again excellent performances by Fife’s junior and senior athletes at the national cross country championships. Athletes now turn their attention to the Fife Championships to be organised by Disability Sport Fife and Fife AC at the Beveridge Park in Kirkcaldy on Thursday 18th May. Thereafter attention turns to the 2017 Fife Track and Field Championships to be held at Pitreavie on Wednesday June 14th with support from the Fife Sports and Leisure Trust.
Richard Brickley MBE
President, Disability Sport Fife