Honours for Caithness athletes
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CAITHNESS Amateur Athletics Club held their annual prizegiving in the Thurso Club, when the notable achievements of club members over the course of 2012 were recognised.
Club chairman Gordie Mcintosh said there have been many highlights with a number of athletes achieving a UK ranking standard. Craig Wares, Stephanie Eyers, Gabby Macgregor, Sarah Henderson and Shannon Eyers have all achieved rankings in various disciplines in their respective age groups, with Shannon ending the year the top-rated female javelin thrower in Scotland in the under 18 age group.
Shannon won silver medal at the National Age Group Championships while Joseph Frame returned with silver medals in the 100 metres and the long jump from the Scottish Disability National Championships.
Rhiannon Kirk and Gabby Macgregor were both being selected to represent the North District cross country team at the inter-district match in Edinburgh.
Athletes had also competed in the North District, the North District Schools, Scottish Schools and Scottish National championships, as well as in the Petrofac League which ran throughout the season and culminated in the club getting six of its eight junior age groups through to the final in Inverness.
The club enjoyed success in the North District championship, returning with two gold, three silver and five bronze medals. The star performers were Stephanie Eyers who took home a silver and bronze medal and two personal bests and Craig Wares who took home a silver and two bronze medals and three personal bests
Stephanie went on to finish seventh in the javelin and 10th in the discus in the Scottish National age group championships in Grangemouth.
Sarah Henderson finished sixth in the final of the 200 metres while Shannon won silver medal in the javelin.
Mr Mcintosh paid tribute to the part played in the development of the youngsters by the club’s coaches, officials and the voluntary helpers.
Club prize-winners were: Track and field – Under 10 – girls; 1 Emma Durrand, 2 Emma Angus. Boys – 1 Euan Cormack. 2 Mackensie Jackson. 3 Alisdair Loomes.
Under 12 – girls – 1 Ria Dewhurst. 2eq Louise Cormack and Megan Cowie. Boys – 1 Euan Macgregor. 2 Liam Sinclair. Under 14 – girls –1 Gabrielle Macgregor. 2 Stephanie Eyers. 3eq Kaitlyn Reid and Neave Anderson. Boys –1 Conor Cormack. 2 Cameron Earnshaw. 3 Tommy MacClenaghan.
Under 16 – girls – 1 Catie Kersley. 2 Rhiannon Kirk. 3 Martha Garbe. Boys – 1 Craig Wares. 2 Joseph Frame. 3 Tim Ridgley.
Under 18 – women – 1 Hannah MacLeod. 2 Sarah Henderson. 3 Isobel Macleod. Men – 1 Liam MacAdie. 2 Andrew Martin. 3 Dean Britton. Senior men – 1 Jamie Munro, 2 Stevie Frame.
The trophies for the athletes who accumulated the most points for their best performance in each discipline athletic event completed went to Gabby MacGregor and Craig Wares. The Pentland Mile Trophy went to Rhiannon Kirk, who was not only the first female home but the first runner home. The second was Gabby MacGregor and third was Catie Kersley.
First boy was Liam McAdie, followed by Alexander MacLeod, Imhotep Booth and Marc O’Brien.
Most Promising awards went to: sprinters Euan Cormack and Emma Sutherland; jumper Kaitlyn Reid; throwers Liam Sinclair and Gabby MacGregor; middle distance runners Alexander MacLeod and Megan Cowie; and all-rounders Euan MacGregor and Ria Dewhurst.
Best performance awards went to: middle distance – Stuart Kirk and Rhiannon Kirk. Jumping – Craig Wares and Catie Kersley. Throwing – Craig Wares and Stephanie Eyers. Sprinting – Joseph Frame and Sarah Henderson.
Most improved athlete – Alistair McPhail. Outstanding Performance of the Year – shared between Shannon Eyers and Joseph Frame.
Endeavour – Fraser Martin. Dedication award – Yvonne Morris. The evening included the presentation of cheques to charities who benefited from the proceeds of this year’s Wick to Thurso relay race organised by the club. Headway Highland Caithness and the Caithness Heart Support Group each received £1356.
