YATESBURY teenager Gemma Shepherd is hoping that her second experience of the ESAA (English Schools Athletics Association) National Championships will throw up as many pleasant surprises as the first.

The 15-year-old, who goes to Sheldon School in Chippenham, will be representing Wiltshire in the inter girls’ 1500m at Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium this weekend, a year after her first appearance at the national championship in Gateshead.

Shepherd, who is coached by Adrian Clover at Team Bath, has been in fine form in 2013, winning her event at the South West Schools’ Championships and the Wiltshire Schools Championships last month, and the youngster is hoping that her purple patch will continue this weekend.

“I’m really excited about going because last year was so great – the atmosphere was amazing,” said Shepherd.

“I made it in to the final last year and that was a complete surprise but I was really happy about it.

“I’ve only been training at Team Bath for five or six months but I’ve had a great year and I’ve exceeded everything that I wanted to do so let’s see how it goes this weekend.

“Yasmin Watling (Wiltshire 1500m junior girls competitor) is friend of mine that’s going and I know plenty of people from the team that will be there too.

“My mum (Jacky) and dad (Jon) will be coming to watch me too – I can’t wait.”

The championships take place tomorrow and Saturday at Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium.

News & reaction from Wiltshire’s athletes at the English Schools’ Championships: NEXT WEEK'S GAZETTE & HERALD