ZOE Wassell raced to her best ever result in the English Schools’ Cross Country Championships in Blackburn, writes KEVIN FAHEY.

Representing Wiltshire the 15-year-old Malmesbury School student from Tetbury made the top 20 for the first time with 20th place from 339 best young runners in the country in the inter girls’ race.

“That is my highest ever position so I am pretty pleased with that,” said Wassell.

“I ran as hard as I could and gave it my best on the day which is all I could do.”

Wassell is known for her bold, brace tactics and she didn’t disappoint as she committed herself from the gun going off with the leaders on a testing course inn Lancashire.

“I wanted to give myself the best chance of doing well so went off very hard,” added Wassell.

“I think after the first 800 metres I was in second place and while I dropped some places going up the steep hill for the first time I didn’t drop any lower than 20th.

“At the finish there was only 19 seconds between 8th (the top eight girls won places in the England team for the British Schools’ Championships) and myself in 20th which just proves how close this race is.”

It is interesting to note Wassell’s progress since she made her debut in the junior girls’ race three years ago. She was 32nd in that occasion before dropping to 106th in 2013 while last year she placed 27th at her first attempt in the inter girls.

“Of course it would be nice to in but it doesn’t mean that much at this age,” said Wassell. “It is what you achieve when you get older that counts.

“But overall I have been very pleased with this season though the one thing I probably lacked was race sharpness so next winter I will look to change that.”

Sheldon School’s Gemma Shepherd has been one of Wiltshire’s most consistent performers at this event in recent years and the 17-year-old didn’t disappoint as she came 23rd at her first attempt in the senor girls’ age group.

In her previous four attempts the Yatesbury-based runner had placed 30th, 22nd, 11th and 31st which is an enviable record.

Corsham School’s Jade Littlechild also made the top 50 of the junior girls’ event.

English Schools’ Cross Country Championships, Blackburn

Senior Boys: 176 Ethan Jones; 252 Jay Painter; 253 David Bunce; 286 Jacob Payne; 299 Kieran Grant.

Intermediate Boys: 22 Wilts 820pts: 29 Will Stockley; 104 Josh Shuter; 133 Freddie Webb; 154 Sam Steventon; 191 Jaymee Domoney; 209 Henry Dixon; 289 John Howorth.

Junior Boys: 27th Wilts 857pts: 19 Rory Howorth; 45 Jade Nickerson; 126 Finley Lloyd-Gilmour; 143 Jonah Veakins; 232 Daniel Poynting; 318 Ethan Pierce; 338 Robert Croager.

Senior Girls: 32 Wilts1042pt: 23 Gemma Sheppard;167 Kirsty Stanley; 179 Miranda King; 195 Jasmine Thayer; 200 Elen Lindsay; 278 Emily Neve; 291 Issy Dickson.

Intermediate Girls: 34 Wilts 1164pts: 20 Zoe Wassell; 92 Caitlin Wosika; 164 Yasmin Watling; 281 Lucy Buffham;289 Chloe Crippen; 318 Jade Day; 322 Kirstie Roberts; 324 Unknown.

Junior Girls: 39 Wilts 1236pts: 43 Jade Littlechild; 83 Abigail Burn; 239 Louise Webb; 254 Coco Smythe; 301 Lucy Fitzpatrick; 316 Caroline Brenchley; 324 Ella Malik; 338 Becky Service.