PITREAVIE AAC’s Stephen Mackenzie continued a fine season by winning British gold last weekend – and earning himself a European Championship slot.

The talented long jumper, who earlier this year won two silver medals at the England Athletics Indoor Age Group Championships in Sheffield, joined club-mate Billy Doyle in competing at the England Athletics Under-20 Championships in Bedford.

The event included trials for the European Athletics Under-20 Championships, which will take place in Sweden from July 18-21, and a golden performance from Mackenzie sealed his place in the Great Britain squad.

His jump of 7.59 metres saw him finish ahead of Highgate Harriers’ Dominic Ogbechie (7.57m) and Alessandro Schenini (7.39m), of Giffnock North AAC, to claim the title and be be among the first athletes to be confirmed for the European competition in Borås.

In addition, Mackenzie was also set to pull on a GB vest at the weekend – which will be his first – as one of 20 age group athletes that travelled to Germany for the Mannheim Gala, which team leader Trevor Painter said would provide them with the “perfect opportunity to get some important international competition under their belts”.

Meanwhile, 17-year-old Doyle, who finished fourth in the 400 metres on his senior Scotland bow at last month’s Loughborough International, as well as winning a relay silver medal, finished second in his 400m heat to qualify for the final. His time of 48.15 seconds was 0.73 seconds quicker and helped him finish sixth.