4Jathletics Seniors

In the fast lane

Alisha and Nikki shatter Scottish Records

By Mark Woods S printers hit their maximum acceleration when running unimpeded on a straight track. Alisha Rees trusts the bends in the road that threatened to stall her young career are now disappearing into the rear view mirror.

At 20, she can fondly recall her days as a teenage sensation, brimming with highspeed potential. But time moves on. The Aberdonian wishes to do likewise. And in breaking a Scottish senior record which had stood for 17 years, she suggested that a new exciting gear has been engaged.

At the 4J Scottish Indoor Championships in Glasgow, she clocked 7.33 seconds in the final of the 60 metres to end Susan Burnside’s lengthy supremacy atop the rankings.

Gold: Jax Thoirs

‘I had my eye on that record for the indoor season but I didn’t necessarily think it would come at the Seniors,’ she said.

‘But I am delighted with it. It worked in my favour that it was two races rather than three and I felt I could really blast out two and see what the times were like.

‘In the heat it went well and when it was rounded down to 7.40 that was very close to my personal best (7.38). It certainly made me think I was capable of a bit faster in the final and that’s what happened.’

From Aberdeenshire, Rees openly admits the outset of her student days in Loughborough threw curve balls which spun her dedication off-kilter.

Despite earning one senior GB and NI vest in the 4x100 relay, the depth of a sprint generation led by Dina Asher-Smith means she will need to maintain absolute focus to succeed. Faith in herself has been restored in tandem with her coach Leon Baptiste.

‘I’ve had a couple of years where it maybe hasn’t quite gone to plan,’ she acknowledged. ‘But I am working hard on things with my coach and in training and hopefully there is a benefit of that and times come down.

‘I must admit I’ve my sights set on the Scottish women’s 100m record – which Gold: Mhairi Porterfield

is at 11.40. I’ve run 11.45 for my PB last season and I’d be happy to break that one.’

Nikki Manson delivered the loftiest high jump yet by a Scottish woman by clearing 1.92m at the Emirates Arena. It elevated her own indoor record and went one centimetre above Jayne Barnetson’s outdoor mark.

‘I actually heard Leslie Roy (the PA announcer) say: ‘Nikki will have three attempts – if she needs them’ when they put the bar up to 1.92m,’ she said.

since gaining a spot at the European Championships in Berlin two summers ago, she might pursue greater heights this Olympic year.

Elsewhere, 2018 world indoor semi-finalist Mhairi Hendry burnt off training partner Philippa Millage to win the women’s 800m while Guy Learmonth surpassed Tom McKean’s 1984 championship best by clocking 1:48.77 as he powered clear in the men’s 800m final.

‘It’s always good to achieve something which has Tom’s name alongside and I’ve not made any secret that I have to chase his times,’ said Guy.

The women’s 1500m final delivered one of the best races of the day.

Fife AC’s Jenny Selman took it on the line from Erin Wallace of Giffnock North with the champion timed at 4:24.72 and the silver medallist at 4:24.83. Third-placed Eloise Walker was only a second adrift of the top two.

‘I’ve not raced the Scottish Indoors for quite a number of years and loved it,’ said Jenny. ‘It was a really competitive race and I was pleased to get there just ahead of Erin’

The men’s long jump had looked strong and so it proved with a win for Reynold Benigo in 7.69m as Che Richards took silver in 7.62m

Mhairi Patience won the Women’s 400m in 56.41 from Megan Davies with Swansea athlete, Joseph Brier, taking the men’s gold in 48.25. Krishawn Aiken, now a Scot on residency rules, took silver in 48.34. Sarah Warnock and Hannah Lawler have been regular Scottish champions in the field indoors in recent years – and they delivered again. Sarah leapt out to 6.29m with her first round jump and that was more than enough to win the Women’s long jump while Hannah took the pole vault gold with 3.64m her best clearance. Scott Connal won a Kilbarchan battle with fellow CE rival, Andrew Murphy, to take the sprint hurdles gold. Jax Thoirs took gold in the pole vault at 5.09m with a second silver medal there for Murphy. In the women’s triple jump, Nony Mordi took the title with 12.92m. Mhairi Porterfield won the Women’s shot with a throw of 13.10m and Lewis McGuire took the Men’s High Jump with 2.09m. Gateshead duo Jazmine Moss and Daniel Lennie secured the 200m titles. Nikki Manson won the Women’s High Jump with a Record 1.92m

James Donald lunges for the line to win the Men’s 1500m gold by a fraction from Sol Sweeney and Michael Ferguson.