CARDRONA teenager Ellie O'Hara took another giant stride in her athletics career at the weekend as she competed for the Scotland senior team.

The 16-year-old triple jumper was the youngest competitor appearing at the Loughborough International.

And despite four no-jumps she still produced a season's best 12.04 metres to claim fourth in the International competition.

Teams from Scotland, England, Wales, GB Juniors, and Loughborough, as well as guest athletes, competed.

Coach Linda Nicholson told us: "This was a tremendous experience for Ellie.

"After reaching 12.04 with her second jump she just went for it, and it was unfortunate that they were no-jumps as they were huge."

Ellie will travel south again next week to compete in the Bedford International Games.

There was further Peeblesshire interest on Sunday at the Loughborough International with West Linton schoolteacher Stacey Downie competing in the 400 metres.

Stacey was ran out of a podium place in the final 50 metres, but still finished in fifth with a season's best 54.41 seconds.

And the former sprint champion returned to the track to anchor Scotland to fourth - along with Anna Nelson, Chloe Lambert and Philippa Millage - in the 4x400 metres.

Selkirk's Henry Clarkson, who is also part of the Linda Nicholson jumps school, had been selected for Scotland in the triple jump.

But Loughborough University, where the 21-year-old studies, has first claim.

Henry won the International competition with a distance of 15.45 metres - finishing third overall behind two guest competitors.