KATEY Read will head to Saturday's AAA Championships in the best form of her life.
The 21-year-old hurdler, from Wrenbury, is on a high after making her full outdoor debut for England in midweek, and winning the North of England Championships on Saturday.
Now she is preparing to defend her National U23 100m hurdles title at Bedford.
The trainee midwife said: 'I do feel I am in my best form ever. My coach, Graham Knight, has made a big difference to me.
'I started working with him in April last year, and it is really starting to pay off now. I felt I did well in difficult weather conditions for England in Norway.
'And I ran what would have been a new personal best (pb) at the Northerns, but it was wind-assisted so didn't count as a pb, which is a shame.
'I am quietly confident, but by the nature of hurdles you can fall flat on your face at any time! I am up against some very good athletes this weekend and will have my work cut out. But I'll give my best.'
Katey finished sixth for England against the best field she has competed against, in Stavanger last Wednesday. Her time of 14.41secs was acceptable given the strong wind.
On Saturday, at Wavertree Stadium, Liverpool, she blitzed the competition to become Senior Women's Northern Champion in 13.59secs - almost a second quicker than her nearest rival.
Katey, who represents Liverpool Harriers AC, has bettered her fastest time for the 100m hurdles on several occasions this year. Her current pb of 13.68secs places her sixth on the GB senior list and second in the GB U23 ranks.
Meanwhile, her training partner Dominic Bradley (14.72), a teacher at Brine Leas School, Nantwich, won bronze in the Senior Men's 110m hurdles.
South Cheshire College students Hayley Jones and Stevie Stockton are also expected to be in medal contention at the AAA Championships. n Hundreds of primary school children will take part in the annual Crewe and Nantwich Town Sports Athletics competition next week.
Youngsters in Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 will compete for glory in field events at the Cumberland Arena, Crewe, on Monday (5.45pm-8pm), and track events at the Barony Park, Nantwich, on Wednesday (5.45-9pm).
Schools are divided into three long-standing groups for the Town Sports, with promotion and relegation spots being decided each year.
Haslington Primary School will look to hold on to their Year 4 crown, Wybunbury will defend the Year 5 title, Wistaston will try to win the Year 3 award again, and Edleston will fight for Year 6.
Meanwhile, applications to take part in the Rotary Festival of Youth Sport must be received by Friday.
The event, at the Cumberland Arena on Saturday, July 7 (10.30am-3.30pm), is open to youngsters aged eight-15 and is free to take part.
Sports include athletics, hockey, kwik cricket, street dance and cheerleading, tag rugby and boccia.
You can download a registration form by logging on to www.weaver-rotary.org.uk or www.crewe-nantwich.gov.uk/sport Alternatively, call 01270 537231 for a form.
