GORDON’S promising wheelchair racer Samantha Kinghorn has been named in scottishathletics’ squad for the first time.
The 16-year-old is now aiming to get accustomed with the 1,500m T54 event ahead of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in 2014.
She told TheSouthern: “I only began racing nine months ago, which meant I started off at short distances.
“Presently, my best distance is 200m, but I managed to make the qualifying time for the 1,500m, which meant I made the squad.
“It is a big thing to be included in the squad, as it means I will get extra support.”
Kinghorn broke her back in December 2010 after being crushed by snow at her home, leaving her paralysed below the waist.
However, she has since launched a successful wheelchair racing career, including a second place at the London Marathon in her first race in April.
She has progressed rapidly ever since, and has a busy 2013 ahead of her.
Kinghorn added: “I travel to Dubai in March for my international classification, which should position me number one in the UK in my discipline.
“I then head to Switzerland for an international event which includes 3,000 athletes.”
Newcastleton’s Paralympic silver medalist Libby Clegg has also been included in the squad, following her announcement that she plans to split her training between Loughborough and Edinburgh after buying a home in the Scottish capital with partner Michael Maltman.
And West Linton’s Chris O’Hare and Berwick’s Guy Learmonth are also on the Commonwealth Games list.
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