MELKSHAM pole vaulter Sophie Upton waited almost three years for a personal best – then two came in a week, writes KEVIN FAHEY.

The 19-year-old, the 2008 English Schools’ champion, cleared 3.91m at the Vault Festival in Manchester on Saturday, adding four centimetres to the personal best she set just seven days earlier in France.

The 3.91m lifted Upton to eighth in the country’s senior rankings and second in the U23 but more importantly proves that she has overcome the problems that held her back for the past two years.

“It has been a very eventful start to the year with two PBs in two competitions after none for two-and-a-half years,” said Upton.

“That feels like a very long time and it is a really good feeling to jump a PB again.

“Unfortunately in 2008 I was injured and didn’t compete that much and last year I concentrated on my A Level exams.

“But that’s all in the past now and I’m really enjoying my training at Loughborough University.”

The former St Augustine’s School, Trowbridge, student is in the envious position of not only having top class facilities at Loughborough but has also joined the training group of UK pole vault coach Steve Rippon, a group that also includes the current UK No1 woman, national record holder and Beijing Olympian Kate Dennison.

“Kate has been really supportive and helped me settle into the group,” added Upton. “Training alongside her has given me extra motivation and it is great to have her around.”

Now training every day Upton is looking to make up for lost time and has here sights set on joining the four-metre club as soon as possible.

“That is the next big target for me as four metres is a real benchmark in the sport,” said Upton. “I’m looking to take my vaulting to a new level this year.”

As for the indoor season Upton will travel to Cardiff this weekend for the Welsh Championships before tackling the Aviva World Indoor trials at Sheffield next month.

Hardenhuish School student Loren Bleaken had her best run of the winter to finish third in the U15 girls’ race at the McCain cross Challenge in Cardiff. Wiltshire team-mate Annie Ingram finished 10th.

Marlborough Juniors’ Amy Cooper finished ninth in the U13 girls’ race while in the senior men’s event Melskham runner Dan Woolford was 26th.

The Wiltshire Schools Cross Country Championships take place at Grittleton House, Chippenham, on Saturday morning.

The first race, the senior boys' event, is off at 10.15am. There are eight races in four age groups with the last one due off at noon.

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