ALEX Carter has vowed the best is yet to come after dropping out of his latest race in America, writes KEVIN FAHEY.

The Bradford on Avon runner, who is on a sports scholarship at Iona University in New York State, had travelled to the Virginia Challenge in Charlottesville with high hopes after racing to a big personal best over 3000m indoors the previous month.

But the race didn’t go to plan and the 21-year-old former St Laurence School student stepped off the track.

“Virginia didn't go well at all, because the race was at 9.15am, which I definitely was not ready for at that time,” said Carter.

“It was very hot, something that I haven't been used to for the last few months! However, the trip was enjoyable and it was nice to see a few areas of America that I had not seen before.”

Now Carter is keen to get back into racing and is looking for another race in the near future.

“I think I will be doing a few more 5ks and 1500s before the end of the season as my coaches think that I am in good shape and therefore I should be able to run a good 5k,” added Carter.

“I should have the opportunity to run fast (but) the plan is always focused towards the long term at Iona, and it is typical for some athletes to not run as well in the freshman year, because they are adapting to the training and working on getting stronger.

“We have a great training group, with some very talented athletes!”

Back in the West Country Semington athlete Will Stockley is enjoying a terrific start to the outdoor season.

The 16-year-old Melksham Ok School student opened up with a stunning personal best in the 800m as he carved off almost three seconds from his 2014 best to break two minutes for the first time with 1:58.38 in the Watford Open meeting the other week.

Stockley followed up that with victory in the U17 men’s 1500m steeplechase for the composite Team Avon in the opening match of the Youth Development League Midland Premier South West Division for U20/17 athletes.

Stockley clocked a solid 4:42.20 and will surely go under his lifetime best of 4:36.73 before the season is over.

Also in the team at Yate St Augustine’s student Adam Gordon won the U17s 100m in 11.95secs and fellow Wiltshire sprinters Will Kennedy and Owen Harnett took maximum points in the U20s 200m A and B events clocking 23.5secs and 23.55secs respectively.

Another sprinter to impress was Southwick’s 16-year-old Zoe Mattacks a she sped to top spot in the U17s B 100m in 12.9secs.

Ellie J Webb of Matravers School won the U17 women’s hammer with 47.69m and Devizes Emily Hutchinson won the U20s B shot (11.20m) and discus (31.75m). The much improved Tom Gale of Trowbridge won the U20s high jump clearing 1.90m.

Hilperton twins Robert and John Howorth were in action on the track with Robert winning the U17s B 1500m steeplechase (4.55.63) and John claiming maximum points in the U17s 1500m (4:23.98).