Alexandria athlete chosen to represent Scotland

Aug 8 2008 by Laura McLachlan, Lennox Herald (main ed)

AN ALEXANDRIA athlete is proving ‘relay’ successful this year – and she has a Scotland call-up to prove it.

Jade Barclay won the Scottish Schools indoor 800m back in February and has now been selected to represent her country in the 300m relay team at the UK games in Bristol later this month.

The former Vale of Leven Academy pupil, who now attends the Glasgow School of Sport, switched to the 300m on advice from coach Frank Rafferty earlier this summer.

Her form since has confirmed his decision – with the youngster picking up a silver medal in the under-17s Outdoor West District Championships in Edinburgh and bronze in June at the Scottish Schools event in Grangemouth.

Jade then surprised the field, coming fourth in her first Pentathlon later that month.

Her outstanding performances in her new distance have contributed to her Scotland call up, and already the 15-year-old is making an impression.

Jade, a member of the West Dunbartonshire Athletic Club and newly formed West Dunbartonshire Sports Youth Group, was selected for the Scottish Under 17s 300m relay team in Bedford on July 19 where the team took fourth place.

JADE BARCLAY