TWO-times medallist Owen Merrett heads a strong Wiltshire squad for the English Schools’ Championships this weekend, writes Kevin Fahey.

The Sheldon School athlete won a bronze medal in the inter boys’ hammer when this event was last held in 2019; last year’s championships were cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Merrett was also a bronze medal winner as a junior boy in 2018 and on present form, which sees him third on the UK Rankings for under 20 men, he stands a good chance of making the podium again at his first attempt in the senior boys’ age group.

In support he will have Sheldon School colleague James Viner and Harry Ricketts from Swindon’s Ridgeway School.

Younger brother Adam makes his championships debut in the junior boys’ hammer.

Marlborough College sprinter Charlotte Longden goes in the senior girls’ 200m and Malmesbury School’s Willa Gibb tackles the 100m hurdles.

The event is being held over three days for the first time with senior competitions on Friday (July 9th), inters on Saturday and the junior age groups on Sunday.

Elsewhere, Sheldon School sprinter Joe Carter shook off his disappointment at failing to make the Wiltshire team for the English Schools’ by running a personal best over 100m at the weekend.

Representing Bristol & West AC as a higher claim athlete in the National League Premier West Division, the teenager clocked 10.88secs in the 100m although the following wind was just over the legal limit.

Meanwhile, Avon Valley Runners’ Mike Towler was the top Wiltshire runner in the latest South West 5k road race series event held around the cycle racing track at Odd Down.

Towler scorched to a personal best time of 15mins 17secs, clipping nine seconds off his five-year-old previous best, to finish ninth.

AVR clubmate Jackie Rockliffe was first female veteran over 50 and Biddestone-based runner Aidan Daniel ran a PB of 15mins 51secs.