American Highland Games professionals Sean Betz and Larry Brock were hot this weekend, with both men breaking field records at the Halkirk Highland Games in Scotland.


Larry Brock (left) and Sean Betz (right) rewrote the field records book at the Halkirk Highland Games this weekend. IronMind® | Photo courtesy of Francis Brebner.
 

The Halkirk Highland Games by Francis Brebner

It was a smashing day at the Halkirk Highland Games this weekend—for records, that is. A crowd of several thousand spectators and cheering fans were entertained and thrilled by a fierce competition between Americans Sean Betz and Larry Brock and some of Scotland's finest: Bruce Aitkin, Alistair Gunn, and Murray Gunn.

In the 20-lb. open shot, Betz with a nimble put of 46' 11" took the win over Aitkin, who placed second at 44' 8", with Brock in third at 44' 6".

In the 16-lb. open shot, again Betz came out ahead with a put of 53' 10" over Brock, this time placing second at 49' 10" ahead of Aitkin, who had a putt of 48' 6".

In the 56-lb. weight for distance, Brock, who has been having a great season this year with the weights, established a new field record with a throw of 46' 11"; Betz was second with 43' 7" and Murray Gunn third with 37'.

In the 28-lb. Weight for Distance Scottish Championships, Betz made a world-class throw, smashing Matt Sanford's record of 90' 3" that stood since 2003, with a whooping throw of 90' 6"; Brock was second with 85' and Gunn third with 74'.

In the 22-lb. hammer, Aitkin took the win marginally over Betz with a distance of 112', with Betz in second at 111' and Brock in third at 107'.

Again, in the 16-lb. hammer Aitkin showed his dominance with a throw of 139' for the win, with Betz in second at 138' and Brock in third with 132'.

The caber was won by Alistair Gunn, with a 12:04 toss; Brock was in second with 12:05 and Betz in third with 12:07.

In the 56-lb. weight over the bar, Betz took the final win of the competition with a toss of 15' 6", with Brock in second at 15' and Aitkin in third at 14' 6".

The overall placings were first, Betz; second, Brock; and third, Aitkin.