JENNA Blundell is hoping to stage a grandstand end to the summer season to complete an impressive comeback year, writes KEVIN FAHEY.

The 17-year-old Wiltshire athlete from Staverton has targeted a first sub-14 seconds clocking for the 100m hurdles after just racing to a personal best on her debut in the England Senior Championships to underline her position as the top junior sprint hurdler in the south west.

Representing Wiltshire at the nationals, which were incorporated into the traditional Inter-Counties Championships in Manchester, Blundell clocked a lifetime best of 14.13secs in the heats of the senior women’s 100m hurdles.

That wasn’t quite quick enough to earn her a post in the finals but as the youngest competitor in the field it was an encouraging performance for Blundell.

“It was really good fun and a great experience,” said Blundell.

“Also when doing the warm-up I could see for myself that actually what I do as a junior is very similar to the senior athletes so that was a real eye-opener.

“It made me realise that actually we are not so different and I learned a lot from competing in the event and I will be a lot better from doing it.”

Sadly, for Blundell her time was aided by a blustery following wind of 3.3mps which is over the legal limit of 2.0mps but sometimes that isn’t always helpful for hurdlers so it was still a tremendous improvement especially when one considers that 2017 was a virtual write-off due to injury.

“Despite the wind it is good progression and I definitely feel I am moving in the right direction,” added Blundell.

“I am definitely back to where I was before I got injured and probably more ahead mentally because having that injury and coming through it really toughened me up.

“I’m in the best place I have ever been and I would love to beat 14 seconds by the end of the season but we’ll see. Whatever happens it has been a good season for me.”

Blundell has a couple of low-key Avon League meetings for Team Bath before then heading to Bedford to represent Team Avon in the Youth Development League Finals where she will be up against some of the best juniors in the country.

Then to finally cap off a long summer she will be back in action for Wiltshire at the English Schools’ Multi Events Championships on September 15-16.

“I will be doing the senior girls’ heptathlon and while hurdling remains my main event it will be interesting to see how I get on over the weekend,” added Blundell.