IN-FORM Gemma Shepherd heads to her final appearance in the English Schools’ Cross Country Championships in Nottingham on Saturday with her confidence sky-high, writes KEVIN FAHEY.
The 18-year-old Sheldon School student achieved her best ever result in the English Clubs’ Cross Country Championships, at Donington Park, last weekend with 14th place and top west runner in the U20 women’s race.
The longer distance clearly helped Shepherd, who lives in Yatesbury, but crucially, that performance has left her relishing her farewell to the schools’ athletics scene which she has graced for so long in the colours of Wiltshire.
“I think that was my best-ever run on Saturday,” said Shepherd.
“It was quite a tough course and I struggled a little up the hills, but the longer distance helped me and I won’t get that for the schools’ this weekend.
“But the performance has given me a lot of confidence.”
Shepherd’s best performance at the English Schools’ Cross Country Championships remains the 11th she achieved in the inter girls’ age group three years ago.
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