11 July 2013

GB & NI started day two of the IAAF World Youth Championships in similar vein to yesterday, as Euan Dickson-Earle (coach: David Brown) (110m hurdles), Adele Nicoll (Andy Brittain) (shot put) and 800m duo Chelsea Jarvis (David Turnbull) and Emily Jenkinson (Todd Bennett) secured their places in the next round in Donetsk.

Jenkinson guaranteed her place in the final with automatic selection after a third place finish in heat three of the 800m. The 16 year old took control of the race from the front before crossing the line in a time of 2:10.04 and was glad to come through her opening test.

“It’s good to get the first round out of the way – I always feel worse in the first race. I’ve been wanting to get out on the track for a couple of days, so now that’s out the way, I’ll hopefully run close to my PB in the semi-final and put me in contention for the final.

“It was a hard race because everyone was so close, so there was quite a lot of pushing down the back straight. It was all about staying in good position to kick in the last 200m. It was then all about finishing in the top three and that’s what I did and hopefully I’ll come back and do better tomorrow.”

Jenkinson’s teammate Jarvis had an agonising wait before she received confirmation that her time of 2:09.73 was enough to secure her place in the final. The 17 year old was disappointed with how her race panned out, but will now have her sights set on a strong race in tomorrow’s final.

“It was a bit of a messy race – the first 200m was really quick and it slowed down in the last 200m. I felt good going through 400m, but they kicked again and I had nothing there. I don’t really believe in excuses, for me it was just a bad race.

“I met my goal by just being here, so making the final is a bonus. I’ve had a great experience so far, and I’m proud to be representing Great Britain.”

Dickson-Earle also had to rely on being a fastest finisher in the 110m hurdles after clocking 14.10 to finish fourth in his heat, and after a strong start to 2013, the 17 year old was not content with his performance in the warm conditions in the RSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium.  

“I’m not too bothered about positions, the main thing was qualifying. The time wasn’t consistent to what I’ve been running when I came out here, but hopefully I can go out there and perform in the semi-final.

"The person next to me jolted, so my start wasn’t as strong as it could have been. I was trying to stay with them, but he was pulling away – I caught up in the middle and then eased off and that’s what pulled me back. I think I just need to manage the heat better before the race because it’s excruciatingly hot, so I may bring down the time I’m warming up."

Adele Nicoll guaranteed her place in tonight’s final with a best throw of 15.80m, and will have her eyes on going even closer to her personal best, which currently stands at 16m.

Taylor Campbell  (Paul Dickenson) agonisingly missed out on a place on the hammer final by just 1cm after throwing 71.49m. The 17 year old, who needed 71.50m to secure automatic selection felt that if he hadn’t clipped the cage on his best throw, it would have been enough to reach the final.

"It was pretty intense going into the third round with a 61m throw being my furthest. I knew if I had one good technical throw which I did, I’d be alright, but it just clipped the cage on the way out.

"It’s very hot out there, I’ve never been so nervous in my life or in this position before, but it’s all part of the experience.

"My aim before coming out was to make the final, it’s just a shame I missed out on the automatic qualification by just 1cm. "

Both Liam Dee (Simon Doyle) (3:56.64) and Jack Crabtree (Blake Ellis) (3:54.50) finished in fifth place in their respective 1500m heats, which wasn’t enough to see them progress in the competition. However, Dee was pleased with his race and is delighted to have had the chance to compete GB & NI at a major championships.

"One of my race plans was that if it was slow, I’d lead from the front, be brave and see if I could wind the pace up. The first three were all so strong, I don’t think I was ever going to do that no matter how fast I ran. I gave it a go and I’m happy I did, so I can’t be too disappointed with my performance.

"When I found out I was selected, I was over the moon – I couldn’t believe it. Getting that phone call to say I’d be going to the World Youth Championships, there’s no better feeling than representing your country." 

Continue to get updates from the evening session in Donetsk via @BritAthletics on Twitter or www.britishathletics.org.uk