The University of Stirling Athletics Club regained the Scottish Universities Outdoor Championship for the third year in a row at Grangemouth last weekend.

Although riddled by injuries, a determined Stirling team fought off strong Glasgow and St Andrews outfits to cling onto the title for another year.

Stirling’s impressive athletics talent shone through in both an individual and team basis.  Jayne Nisbet comfortably clinched the high jump and triple jump events while Stacey Wilson added to the points by winning the shot and hammer events.

With the top three teams within reach of the title going into the final events of the day, it was down to the relay teams to raise their performance and clinch victory.

Team Captain, Andy Carroll said “At one stage in the competition we dropped down into second place but during the relays we pulled it out of the bag” Stirling’s 4x400m relay team of Andy Carroll, Andrew Mackenzie, Kris Robinson and Michael Burns came through in first place gaining vital team points.

Robinson, who won a bronze medal in the 4X400m relay for Great Britain at the World Youth Championships in 2006, was just one of a number of top experienced athletes who helped bring success to Stirling.

Carroll commented: “In fairness, we have some outstanding athletes in the team who came and helped us win specific events, but it was also the people who took on events not specifically suited to them who bring added points.”

“Most impressive for me was the fact that the team wasn’t even full-strength. Some of our first choice athletes were absent through injury but those who participated stepped up to the mark to help us towards victory so I’m really grateful for everyone’s participation.”

The team travel down to Bedford next weekend for the biggest university athletics meet on the calendar – the BUSA [British Universities Sports Association] Outdoors. Although unlikely to pick up any silverware, Stirling will be going head-to-head with the best athletes in Britain.

“The BUSA Outdoors will be a huge experience for the team,” said Carroll. “Last year we were the highest ranked Scottish team at the competition and we’re looking to improve on that this year.”