FORMER Calne schoolgirl Breanna Selley as been crowned Italy’s national U16 1,000m champion.

Selley grew up in the town and attended Fynamore Primary School but moved to Italy in 2015 after her family decided to relocate.

Moving to the town of Chignolo Po, about 40km south of Milan, Selley continued her fledgling athletics career that had started in Wiltshire and it soon became evident that she had a natural talent for middle distance running.

During a maiden season representing her region of Lombardia in 2018, Selley qualified for the Italian National Individual and Regional Team finals in the 1,000m and 1,200m steeplechase, finishing 10th in the latter.

Selley has progressed again this year and set the best 1,000m time in the country back in June with a 2mins 57.60secs clocking to again reach the national finals.

At the finals, Selley rose to the challenge once more and took the title in 2:56.05.

Next year, Selley will move up an age group and will start running standard Olympic distances, with her coach having high expectations for her in the 400m and 800m.