TROWBRIDGE’S Tom Gale rose to the occasion to finish sixth in the high jump with a clearance of 2.09m at the Loughborough International Games on Sunday.

Wiltshire and Team Bath competitor Gale, alongside Yatesbury’s Gemma Shepherd, was making his debut for GB Juniors at the event.

“I was quite happy with my performance because 2.09m is still better than the PB I set during the indoor season and shows I am becoming very consistent,” said Gale, who is a student at the John of Gaunt School, Trowbridge.

“I was the youngest high jumper in the field and most of the other guys were two years older than me.”

Both Gale and Shepherd clearly repaid the faith of the GB selectors to award the pair their first vest and Gale said it was a day he will never forget.

“It was so exciting to be wearing a Great Britain vest and I am just so grateful to have been given the opportunity,” added Gale.

“When I started out in athletics three years ago I had a dream of representing Great Britain but that’s what it was and I never thought I would achieve it so quickly.

“If someone had told me I would win a GB vest as a 17-year-old I would have laughed at them. It was a very proud moment for me.”