UK YDL LAG Final in Manchester, 31st August 2024
52 of our young U13/U15 male & female athletes, 8 coaches and 3 officials headed off to Manchester on the 30th of August to compete and represent Giffnock North A.C and Scotland in the UK YDL Lower Age Group Final at the Manchester Sports Arena on the 31st August 2024. The athletes were chaperoned on the bus by myself, Simon Lipp, Sara Russell, Chris Hawthorne and Billy Glasgow. We met up with Coaches Finlay Weir, Craig Fotheringham, Matthew Dorrian and Officials, Alison Fotheringham & Amparo Ruiz at the hotel who made their own way.
We headed off from GHA about 11.15am however, given the heavy traffic we didn’t get to the Premier Inn at Denton until about 6.10pm so the rooms were allocated quickly, and we all headed for our evening meal ASAP, a bit hectic but we got through it, and everyone seemed to enjoy. After the meal we had a quiz for all the athletes led by Coach Simon, and it seemed to go down well as it was pretty competitive. The athletes were then encouraged to head off to their rooms for a bit of chill time before lights out.
Following a good night’s rest, it was an early start at 7.00am for all the coaches, with the breakfast split into 15-minute interval arrivals. After breakfast we all boarded the bus or cars and headed to the track.
Upon arrival we met up with Chris Deery who travelled to the track by car. We took a prime viewing space in the stand on the first bend (Q Stand). The Sun was shining, maybe too hot for our athletes, and it got warmer.
First up were the field events in the U15 Boys Hammer with Charlie Murray & Michael Nordmann & the U13 Girls High Jump, with Erica Ross winning Gold & Eilidh Brown winning Bronze, a good start to the day. Angus Weir won gold and a PB in the U15 Boys Long jump and silver and a PB in the U15 Boys High jump. Christopher Cameron won Bronze and a PB in the U13 Boys Long jump B string. Katie Heron won a gold in the U13 Girls long jump A string. Erica Ross won another medal this time Bronze in the Shot A string along with Isla Dorrian a gold and a PB in the shot B string. Eilidh Brown also won bronze and a PB in the Javelin (and also went on to win a silver medal in the 800m B race)
First up in the Sprints and Hurdles was the U13 Girls Katie Heron & Carmen Sheridan. In the U15 Boys 80m Alistair Gear won a bronze medal and a PB in the A race. Charlotte Malcolm won a bronze in the u15 Girls 300m B race.
Erica & Eildh
The endurance races picked up 4 golds, 4 silvers and 5 bronzes. Chloe Simpson had a brilliant race just missing out on a medal and Eilidh Brown won a Silver in the B race in the U13 Girls 800m, Emma Nicholson won Gold and a PB and Lotty Martin in B race just missed out on a medal in the U13 Girls 1200m, Sam Deery won Bronze and Finlay Hamilton won Silver in B race in the U13 Boys 800m, Evan Tyler won Bronze and a PB and Ewan Kennedy also won Bronze in B race in the U13 Boys 1200m, Eilidh Caldow won Bronze and Isabella Wilson won silver in B race in the U15 Girls 800m, Holly Simpson won Bronze and Lucy Tonner won Gold and a PB in B race in the U15 Girls 1500m, Max Deery ran a great trace just missing out on a medal, Cameron Mitchell won a silver and a PB in U15 Boys 800m, Louie Muir with a huge lead won gold and Cameron Nugent won Gold in the B race for the U15 Boys1500m,
We had a special visitor through the day, a ‘cat’, yes a CAT wondering on to the track which held up a race or two.
In Total our athletes achieved 38 PBs, and brought home 25 medals, outstanding.
A 10-year-old GNAC club record broken by Evan Tyler in the u13 Boys 1200m with a time of 3:39:65.
Finishing the day with the relays, our Athletes gave their all and although there were no medals in the 4X100m, they ran brilliantly. The 4×300 U15 Boys race ended the day on a high note, and was very exciting, led off with Cameron Nugent who handed over to Louie Muir passing to last minute change Callum Datta (returning from injury) and finally passing to the glory leg Cameron Mitchell who as always gave a great battle and only just missing out on a silver, brought home a very well deserved Bronze. The boys were chasing the club record and were very close, it was a big ask as it was an extremely hot day but they gave it a good go.
Although we finished 7th it was a great experience for all, particularly the young athletes, they gave their best, lots of ups and downs throughout the day but they did the club proud.
Many thanks to all the coaches and officials who supported the trip to Manchester, and a very big well done to all our athletes not only the ones who travelled to the UK final but all those who competed in the heats to get us there.
Final note of thanks to Jenny Simpson for her very busy day reporting and photographing (until her phone battery died on her) the athletes, thank you.
Report by Anji Carson
and some great photos available at the links below
https://patscaasi.zenfoliosite.com/2024-08-31—lower-ydl-finals
https://www.flickr.com/photos/101542396@N08/albums/72177720319962486/