ALEX Burns became Helensburgh Athletic Club’s golden girl at the weekend, stepping up to the top of the podium after taking first place in the under-16 girl’s triple jump at the National Indoor Championships.

The Emirates Arena in Glasgow hosted two busy days of competition for the various junior age groups and Alex was a very busy athlete, contesting in four separate events. Her joy in the triple jump was achieved in only her second serious competition in the event. She took the lead in the first round soaring to a new personal best of 10.39 metres and so it was a nervous wait through five further rounds before the gold medal was secured.

In the long jump the Hermitage Academy pupil had set a new personal best of 4.82 at the Scottish Schools Championships the previous week. On this occasion a best of 4.78 placed her sixth overall from the 30 girls competing.

In the 60 metres sprint a time of 8.65 secs in the opening round gained Alex a place in the semi-final. Despite setting a new personal best of 8.39 Alex narrowly missed out on a place in the final.

Alex also contested the 200 metres where, despite finishing third in her heat, her time of 28.14 wasn’t enough to make it to the semis.

Alex’s exploits over the last couple of weeks has seen her rise to number three in Scotland in the triple jump and six for the long jump, setting her up for the coming outdoor season.