TALENTED athletes from a Chippenham secondary school may have secured five out of the 32 places available in Wiltshire for the English Schools Track and Field Championships being held in Manchester on Friday and Saturday (July 8 and 9)

Youngsters from Sheldon School excelled themselves at the South West Athletics Championships in Exeter on Saturday (June 21).

To get to this event, pupils had to win their area trials and then win at the Wiltshire County Championships in June. 

Owen Merrett took first place in the Senior Boys Hammer and has now qualified for the National Championships in Manchester this month. He threw over 66 metres and broke a 49-year-old Championship record in the process. 

James Viner gained second place in the Senior Boys Hammer behind Owen but also qualified for National Championships.

Joe Carter took third place in the 100m, hitting the qualifying time for Nationals so will compete in Manchester. 

Adam Merrett took first place Inter Boys Hammer, throwing over 45m which was a personal best for him and also sends him to Nationals. Adam is also only Year 10 and was competing against Y10s and Y11s. 

Harry Maxwell gained second place in the Inter Boys 3000m. He ran 9.06 for the 3K. His time is just enough for him to compete in the Nationals. Harry is also only Y10 and was competing against Y10 and Y11s. 

Peter Krunity-Salako gained second place in the Inter Boys High Jump clearing 1.77 metres. Unfortunately, this was below the National standard qualifying height so although Peter finished second, he won't go to Nationals. 

Jemima Walters gained seventh place in the Junior Girls Javelin, with a 24.58m throw which was a personal best for her.