08 July 2009

The Aviva Great Britain and Northern Ireland team made a great start to their World Youth Championships campaign during the morning session on the first day of competition in Bressanone, Italy with four athletes progressing to the next rounds.

In the first heat of the men’s 800m Adam Cotton (Birchfield Harriers) qualified comfortably to the next round in first place with a winning time of 1:51.97. Cotton was strong off the mark, leading the pack for 200m. He then let Cuban Alejandro Hernandez do the hard work, sitting comfortably in second until the home straight where he came through to take the win.

He said: “I was ready to go out and lead it all but the Cuban took it over so I was happy to sit on his shoulder and wait. I want to PB (personal best) in the semi’s now, I’m going to go relax now and get ready for tomorrow.”

Rikkie Letch (Windsor, Slough, Eton & Hounslow) took second place and automatic qualification to the next stages in his 800m heat with a time of 1:55.61.

He had a difficult start with a little pushing and shoving to contend with but at 200m he managed to work his way towards the front of the field into a good position. He moved into second during the final lap and held his position well despite challenges.

In the second heat of the women’s 100m Jodie Williams (Herts Phoenix) won comfortably in 11.85 which guarantees another outing in the next rounds. Williams has a world youth leading time of 11.48 this season, promising a lot more is to come.

Shaunna Thompson (Sale) featured in the fourth heat, she ran a strong race finishing first in 11.71. She will join Williams later this afternoon in the second round.

She said: “I was calm and just thinking, I’m going to go out there and run the time that I can run, I’m pleased with it, my start wasn’t very good then I just thought ‘get on with the rest of the run.’ I can work on my start before the next round. That’s the best I’ve run since I came back from a slight niggle so I’m feeling confident.”

For full results visit- www.iaaf.org

More from the afternoon session – www.uka.org.uk