SPORT
SCOTCH ATHLETICS TAKES A SIGNIFICANT STEP FORWARD
The Scotch Athletics Squad enjoyed a season to remember , with its best single performance since last winning the APS premiership in 1978 . The team not only finished second overall at the APS Senior Finals , but also won the All Schools Relays event .
Most importantly , we had well over 280 boys represent the squad throughout the spring season , recording excellent times , heights and distances in a multitude of events . This year will be remembered for our program taking another significant step forward with its results .
After finishing third last season and with many returning boys at the open age group , the squad was quietly confident of its ability to perform well . Outnumbering opposition schools at lead-up meets and consistently strong performances on and off the track contributed positively to the optimism of the squad .
This was only reinforced as the boys came together at the All Schools Relays events at Lakeside in late August . The team picked
up nine medals from 13 events , with highlights including winning the under 16 and under 20 4 x 800 metres relays , and both the under 14 and under 16 medley events . Bart Leeton ( Year 9 ) and Henry Curlewis ( Year 7 ) ran impressive legs in the medley to anchor these teams to victory .
Training was typically categorised by large numbers on the Main Oval track and tunes coming from the Green Grandstand , making it a vibrant and busy place to be . We had over 80 boys attend a three-day internal camp during week one of the school holidays .
The team worked tirelessly on their respective skills and fitness , and had guest presenters come and address them on a range of topics . Former Olympian middle distance runner Jeff Riseley was particularly interesting , as he shared his experiences in the sport and worked through the various challenges as an
64 Great Scot Issue 170 – December 2023