Athletes excel at top event

TWO rising athletes have got 2013 off to a flying start by sprinting their way to success in the Northern Championships.

Kristie Edwards (15) and Billie Jo Harris (13) both competed at the English Institute of Sport event in Sheffield at the weekend and came home with three gold medals between them.

Kristie, who attends Wickersley School, competed in the U17 age group and finished leader of the pack in the 60m, achieving a personal best of 7.76 seconds, while also claiming a stadium best at the EIS with her time of 25.06 and another gold medal in the 200m.

These victories now mean Kristie is ranked no1 in the UK for the 200m and number two for the 60m, after claiming the wins for the third successive year.

Swinton School student Billie Jo was up against competitors 12 months her senior but outpaced them all to get her hands on gold in the U15 60m sprint, pushing her to the top of the rankings pile for the event.

The youngster also picked up a silver medal in the U15 200m, which means she is now ranked second in the UK at this distance.