SIMON Okiti became the fastest Greenock Glenpark Harrier in history while representing Glasgow University at the British University Track and Field Championships in Manchester.
Simon contested the 100 metres and 200 metres at the Manchester Athletics Arena at the busiest track and field meeting in the calendar.
In his 100-metre heat, Simon exploded from the blocks and was soon among the top places.
Stopping the clock in a new best of sub-11 seconds, and in a qualifing position to progress to the semi-final, he was delighted to enter into the 10 second bracket only for the wind gauge to record his time as illegal.
Undaunted by this, Simon took to the line in the semi-final knowing nothing less than a lifetime best would suffice against the fastest students in the UK.
A more deliberate start found him slightly down on the opposition, however passing halfway he moved into overdrive, finishing fourth just outside an automatic slot for the final but delighted when his time was rewarded with a legal 10.9, a new best for Simon and enough to give him the title of fastest Harrier over the home straight sprint.
The following day, Simon was on track again, this time in the 200 metres. With a favoured outside lane draw, he got into his stride early and a new-found confidence on the home straight carried him to in his second lifetime best of the weekend, clocking a 21-second run, a place in the semi-final and his place in club history assured.
Despite an inside lane for the semi-final, a solid run in the later part of the race had Simon finishing strongly, just missing a spot in the final by a fraction of a second.
Elsewhere closer to home Harris Morrison carried the Harrier banner at Grangemouth for the Scottish National Athletic League.
Dropping down in distance to the 200 metres, Harris was experimenting with a new race plan over a shorter sprint distance for him. Keeping to his plan from the blocks, he entered the home straight in the top places where he held his form clocking a time which matched his season best.
With Glenpark members participating in four seperate events over the weekend from Germany to the UK, from 100 metres to marathon, the coaching team are now in a position to offer additional spaces to all age groups and standards. Those interested can get in touch via the Greenock Glenpark Harriers website.
