TOP junior high jumper Tom Gale came agonisingly close to clearing two metres for the first time at the weekend, writes Kevin Fahey.

The 16-year-old John of Gaunt School student equalled his personal best of 1.95m to win the senior men’s event at the latest Avon League meeting in Yate.

It was actually the Trowbridge athlete’s best clearance outdoors – he set his best of 1.95m during the indoor season – adding two centimetres to the height he reached to win the South West Schools’ title in June but as coach Di Viles explains, it could have been even better.

“Tom went so close to clearing two metres,” said Viles.

“Unfortunately, he had been forced to sit around while the field judge re-confirmed a record jump at U17s level and I think he just lost a little bit of his focus and concentration.

“But going by the way he was jumping on Sunday, I am sure Tom will clear two metres soon, possibly at either the Midland Championships coming up next week (August 15-16) or the England Athletics Championships at the end of the month.”

Gale is now getting expert high jumping advice from National Coach Mentor Denis Doyle, who lives in south Wales, in a bid to maximise his potential.

“I will still remain his coach but Dennis can supply that extra knowledge to help Tom and we are hoping to go and see him over the winter,” added Viles. “He has already had a session and we have seen the benefits.”

In-form Westbury runner Hayden Bailey, who is also a John of Gaunt School student, smashed the U15 boys’ 800m record as the English Schools’ bronze medallist clocked a time of 2:01.5.

Also in the U13s 800m, Justin Davies set a new league record of 2mins 19.4secs.

The U15 girls’ javelin record also fell to Wingfield athlete Imogen Hurst, who is currently third in the South West rankings, as she threw 31.61m. Warminster’s Katie Geddes won both the senior 100m and 400m races.