TRAINEE doctor Elizabeth Crighton certainly wasn't messing about on the water at the recent National Rowing Championships, writes Fiona Scott.
The former Earlston High School pupil, who rows for Aberdeen University, won the gold medal in the women's under-23 single scull in the competition, held at Glasgow's Strathclyde Park.
Crighton, who won the silver medal in 2005 at Nottingham, led co
mfortably throughout the race and finished in a time of 8.17.37, knocking more than one minute from the previous national record.
Last month, the 21-year-old Borderer was second in the senior single scull at the Henley Regatta, and has been selected to row for Scotland later this year in the double scull and eight.
Former Earlston High School student Elizabeth Crighton took pride of place in the National Rowing Championships at Glasgow
She told TheSouthern: "I enjoy lots of sports but rowing is my favourite and with that and studying I don't really have much time for anything else. I rowed in the Scotland eight last year and am thrilled to be included in two events this time."
Although she was brought up in the Borders, surrounded by rivers, her interest in rowing did not start until she went to university.
Having now got a taste for the sport, however, she intends to continue and is looking to go through the Great Britain trialing system next year.
She explained: "There is only one Scottish girl in the GB team at the moment because most of the training is done at Nottingham or London, which makes it difficult for rowers from Scotland to attend team sessions.
"At the moment, though, there aren't many good under-23 rowers in the GB squad, so hopefully I can make it in."
Now in her fourth year as a student, Crighton trains with the university team 12 times a week, morning and night, but still finds time to visit the Borders.
