CAITLIN Wosika leapt to third in the UK rankings for the 1500m steeplechase as she smashed her personal best in only her second attempt in the event, writes KEVIN FAHEY.

The 15-year-old from Trowbridge carved 20 seconds off her debut time set last month when she finished runner-up at the British Milers’ Club PB Classic meeting in Milton Keynes in 5mins 07.79secs.

That is the third quickest time by an U17 woman in the UK this summer and the fastest in the South West and understandably Wosika is delighted with her new event which she has only taken up this season.

“I was obviously hoping to run a personal best and had thought a time around 5mins 15secs would be good but never 5:07,” said Wosika. “I think this event is going to be a lot of fun!”

A fast pace from the start on a good evening for running was just what Wosika was looking for and while the John of Gaunt School student admits there is still work to be done on her technique over the barriers the performance suggests it is a discipline she relishes.

“The water jump in particular is very difficult and I definitely need to do more practice,” added Wosika.

Wosika will revert to the flat 1500m for the Wiltshire Schools’ Championships in Salisbury tomorrow (Saturday) but may race the steeplechase again at the South West Schools’ at Exeter the weekend after.

“I will have to have a chat with my coach (Martin Rush) about that,” said Wosika.

Semington’s Will Stockley wasn’t going to be left out of the PB festival as the 16-year-old carved almost four seconds off his best with a time of 4:32.63 for second place in the men’s 1500m steeplechase event after a terrific battle with Taunton’s Dan Wilde.

That time lifts the Melksham Oak School student to fourth in the UK Rankings for U17 men and gives him real options at the major championships.

Hilperton’s Rory Howorth is happy to stick with the 1500m on the flat at the moment and no wonder as the 12-year-old smashed his PB by four seconds with a time of 4:18.41.

“I am pretty happy with that as the time is four seconds inside the qualifying standard for the English Schools’ Championships,” said Howorth.

“I knew I had it in me but I seemed to be struggling to get under 4mins 23secs this season. It is good to get it done and now I can concentrate on winning the Wiltshire Schools’ title.”

Also from Wiltshire there was a PB for Charlie Stockley – Will’s younger brother – with 4:42.10 in the 1500m but a below-par Robert Howorth could only manage 4:47.53 for 12th in the 1500m steeplechase.

l WILL Kennedy continued his good form in Belfast last weekend.

The Westbury sprinter, who claimed three golds at the recent Wiltshire Championships, collected silver in the 100m and 200m at U19 level at the Mary Peters track in Northern Ireland.

Kennedy also won bronze in the senior men’s 200m.