Inverness Courier ones to watch in 2024: Sport
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With a new year, always comes new hope but who are likely to be among the individuals to keep tabs on in 2024? Here are our ones to watch in sport.
Summer Elliott (Golf)
The Inverness teenager had an outstanding 2023 as she won a number of tournaments throughout Scotland and represented her country on the international stage.
The 16-year-old, who is a member of Inverness Golf Club and Nairn Golf Club, experienced major success in competitions during the last 12 months.
They included picking up victories in the Stephen Gallacher Vase, Paul Lawrie Junior Quaich and Barrie Douglas Scottish Junior Masters.
In addition in 2023, she became the first woman to win the Inverness Golf Club Junior Championship.
Her success was recognised after being called up to the Scotland squad for the European Girls’ Team Championship at Golf Club d’Hossegor in France last July.
She has also been named in Scottish Golf's squad selection for the 2023/24 season as part of the girls' performance squad.
She has also secured a major sponsorship deal with Springfield Properties to help her ambitions of becoming a professional golfer.
With a focus on achieving more victories during 2024, Elliott will have her sights on achieving further success.
Lois MacRae (Athletics)
The Inverness Harriers teenager is causing a big stir in Scottish athletics after some incredible performances in her young career so far.
The Millburn Academy pupil has had a phenomenal year during 2023 as she picked up major victories in Scottish and British competitions.
Her biggest victory was arguably claiming gold in the 1500m at the England Athletics Under-15 Open Championships in Birmingham in August.
She was also crowned Scottish Under-17 800m champion in Grangemouth during the summer when she also broke the national record at under-15 level in a time of 2.13:75.
She has also dominated major races in the Highlands, claiming victory at the Inverness 5k in March and the River Ness 5k at the Loch Ness Festival of Running back in October for the second year running.
She has been no stranger to success during her young career, winning major titles at several age groups.
MacRae started her athletics career at the Aquadome Athletics Club and she competed in the Inverness 5k from a young age before progressing to compete for the Inverness Harriers.
Tyler Clare (Cyclist)
The Inverness Cycle Club athlete rode clear of the chasing pack to win the Scottish National 50-mile Time Trial Championship junior title in July.
Clare has achieved some notable performances during 2023 before going on to become a Scottish champion.
He became the new junior and senior club record holder at Inverness Cycle Club confined time trials. He recorded the 12th fastest time at the Etape Loch Ness in April.
During the 66-mile sportive, he also recorded the second fastest time in the King of the Mountain stage.
He also completed the Strathpuffer 24-hour marathon at his first attempt at Contin back in January.
The former Millburn Academy pupil got into cycling when he was a teenager and was encouraged into the sport by his father Paul.
But he wasn’t able to join a club until he reached 16-years-old, when he went on to join Inverness Cycle Club.
Since then he has earned a reputation as one of the most promising young cyclists in the country.
