FORMER Dauntsey’s School student Will Christofi is looking forward to making his debut for Great Britain at the European Cross Country Championships in Italy next month.

The 22-year-old secured his place – which was rubber-stamped yesterday – after finishing third in the U23 men’s category in the trials race around Sefton Park, Liverpool, on Saturday.

“I was delighted with the race and it really hasn’t sunk in yet,” said Christofi.

“Tactically, it went as well as I could have hoped. My aim was to finish in the top four as that guaranteed automatic selection for the Europeans and I knew that I was running well, having finished eighth in the first British Cross Challenge fixture in Milton Keyes a few weeks ago.

“But I thought there was around ten of us in the U23 age category with a chance of making the top four.”

The U23 race was incorporated into the senior event, which meant Christofi had to be careful not to get carried away with the overall pace and had to keep a close eye on his U23 rivals.

Christofi first took up running at Daunstey’s and after enjoying early success opted to join Bristol & West AC where he has been coached by Dave Bedwell.

He will link up with his GB team-mates to fly out to Italy at the end of next week to prepare for the Championships in Chia, on the island of Sardinia, on December 11.