ALEX Carter has vowed to bounce back after suffering one of the most disappointing performances of his career at the European Cross Country Championships trials in Liverpool, writes KEVIN FAHEY.

Even though it was Carter’s first stab in the U20s age group the 17-year-old St Laurence School student, from Winsley, had harboured high hopes of making an impression after good early season form.

But those hopes quickly evaporated on the Sefton Park course and Carter could only finish 41st.

“I felt absolutely rubbish on the day and I just couldn’t get into the race,” said Carter.

“The race started very quickly and I knew within 200 metres it was not going to be my day. What I didn’t expect was that it would be as that as that. It was way worse than I expected.

“I was hoping to finish in the top 20 or 15 and when I saw in the results of some of the guys who beat me I felt worse.

“I felt like dropping out but having gone all that way to Liverpool you have to finish the race.

“I have been training really hard and I feel like I have a cold coming on so that may explain why I felt so bad. But it has definitely motivated me for the rest of the season.”

Carter will next tackle the Avon, Somerset & Wiltshire Cross Country Championships at Bath University a week on Sunday, December 8.

The highest placed county runner in Liverpool was 14-year-old John of Gaunt student Cailin Wosika, who came 37th in the U15 girls’ race.

Warminster’s Imogen Wolsey continued her comeback from injury with a creditable 42nd in the senior women’s race and Hardenhuish School’s Katie Strange was 41st in the U13 girls.

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