Aberdeen sprinter Zoey Clark has advanced to the semi-finals of the women’s 400m at the Commonwealth Games.
Clark came second in her heat, posting a time of 51.84 to finish just behind Barbados’ Sada Williams with England’s Jodie Williams grabbing the third qualifying spot.
It was Clark’s first involvement in the Games and she will compete in the semis at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham on Friday night.
Clark will be joined in the semis by her Scotland colleague Nicole Yeargin, who finished third in her heat.
The Aberdonian said afterwards: “I knew looking at the start-list yesterday, it was going to be a tough heat, with having Jodie in it.
“I knew it would be tough to get the top three position I was going for so I’m really thrilled.
“But I came here, finished in the top three, got the job done and now it is about getting ready for Friday. Can I push for a place on the podium? I hope so.
‘I’m going to give it my all’
“I know it is technically not a home games for me but I’m making the most of this crowd, it’s amazing. I’m just going to give it my all and see what happens.”
“It was pleasing to finish second and I would say quite a comfortable second. It has given me a lot of confidence.
“My coach told me to run a controlled and measured race which meant if I got to the home straight and needed to fight for it I would have something left in the tank to do so.
“I’m definitely ready for this. It has been a bit of a weird season as I was building momentum and the times were going well. Then I had a bit of a knock that put me back a bit.
“I was trying to mentally prepare myself for this as it has been quite a few weeks without a race. I needed to make the most of this opportunity.
“I know I have done the training and I’m in good shape so hopefully it is all going to come together.”
Unfortunately there was to be no place in the final of the women’s 100m for Torphins sprinter Alisha Rees, who was eliminated in the semi-finals.
Rees came through her heats yesterday as one of the fastest-losers but her time of 11.47s was only enough for seventh in the semis.
There was finally some good news for Scotland in the netball as they picked up their first win of the Games against Barbados.
The Thistles were ruthless in dispatching their opponents 72-28 and it gives them a much-needed boost heading into their final pool game against South Africa on Thursday.