JENNA Blundell is determined to soothe her disappointment at missing out on the European U20 Championships by winning a medal on her farewell appearance at the English Schools’ Track & Field Championships this weekend.

The 18-year-old, from Staverton near Bradford-on-Avon, admits that failing to make the GB team for either the 100m hurdles or the heptathlon was a setback as the Europeans had been her top goal this summer.

But Blundell is not one to dwell too long on missed opportunities and is now turning her attentions to ending her schools career with a grand finale at Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium.

“Obviously I am disappointed not to get picked for the European Juniors but there is nothing I can do about it now,” said St Laurence's Blundell.

“I wouldn’t change anything that I have done this season. I took a few risks and I don’t regret that at all because I learned a lot, especially by doing the heptathlon in Tenerife which was an amazing experience.

“But now I am going to my last English Schools’ Championships and I am really going to go for it and see what happens.”

It will be Blundell’s third appearance in the event after being eliminated in the heats of the inter girls’ 80m hurdles in 2016 and finishing fourth in the senior girls’ final last year.

But there is every reason to expect she should make the podium as, on paper, Blundell will be the second fastest girl in the field.

“I would be disappointed if I don’t win gold but I know I will be pushed,” added Blundell.

“It is going to be a great competition and I am looking forward to it.”

Other local athletes to look out for include Femi Akinbobola (Dauntsey's), Rory Howorth and Peter Adeosun (both St Augustine's) and Robyn Ellison (St Laurence).

Ellison was given a nice boost on the eve of the championships as she was named the winner of the Melvyn Potter Athlete of the year for 2018.

This award was set up in honour of Team Bath AC stalwart and leading Wiltshire athletics official Potter, who died in November 2017, to recognise that within athletics there are more qualities than just winning.

The judges decided that Ellison, who will be making her debut in the senior girls’ long jump for Wiltshire in Birmingham this weekend, perfectly exemplified that spirit and she succeeds inaugural winner Caitlin Wosika.

WILTSHIRE SQUAD

Senior boys – 400: Femi Akinbobola; Long Jump: Rory Howorth; Shot: Josh Ricketts.

Inter boys – 200: Omario Henry, Josh Dyer; 1500 S/C: Patrick Mochan; 100H: Jake Cover; 400H: Alex Martin; High Jump: Peter Adeosun; Discus: Mikael Evloev; Hammer: Owen Merritt, James Viner.

Junior boys – 100: Leo Chivers; Javelin: Theo Spurrell.

Senior Girls – Long Jump: Robyn Ellison; Javelin: Ottalie Knight.

Inter Girls – 1500: Bea Woods; Hammer: Anna Merritt; 80 Hurdles: Willa Gibb, Abbey Littlejohns; Long Jump: Gabriella Kirkham; Molly Hole; Javelin: Megan Galpin, Lucy Watkinson.

Junior girls – 300: Ophelia Pye; 800: Freya Buglass, Kelly-Ann Marsh; 1500: Alicia Finns; Long Jump: Amelia Watling, Delleah Belgrave, Amy Warre; Hammer: Jolie Littlejohns.