Burke wants more

Published 9 Sep 2009 09:00 0 Comments

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Athletics

WINDSOR, Slough, Eton & Hounslow starlet Laura Burke added another two medals to her growing collection at the UK School Games but still found fault with her performance.

The 16-year-old, who was representing the South East in Cardiff, won gold in the 300m hurdles and a bronze in the 4x300m relay.

That success followed on from her English Schools' win and a personal best on her debut for Great Britain at the European Youth Olympic in Finland in July.

But after winning the 300m hurdles in a time of 44.02 seconds Burke said: "I'm really pleased to have won gold but though I know I can run faster.

"I was more than a second quicker when I won the English Schools in July so that's something I need to look at.

"I did OK in the end but technically, it wasn't a good race from me, but every time I mucked up a hurdle I just pushed faster.

"But a win is a win and it's a great feeling to be UK School Games champion - it's a really big event and was a fantastic experience for me."

And Burke is now crossing her fingers the success in South Wales will help her book a place on the plane to Qatar for the World School Games in December.

As well as her trip to Finland, Burke has also been to Estonia for the World Cup for Schools and added: "I've been to a couple of high profile internationals but the World Schools would be fantastic - hopefully I've done enough to get picked.

"This year has gone really well for me but to go to the World Schools would be a fantastic way to end it."

Fellow WSEH sprinter Leah Barrow joined Burke in the South-East 4x300m relay team that claimed bronze.

Barrow also joined forces with Chloe Mays in the 4x100m team that had to settle for sixth while Ryan Barrett's throw of 44.07m was only good enough for seventh in the discus.

The Youth Sport Trust is working to enhance physical education (PE) and sporting opportunities for young people. Funding through the Department of Culture, Media and Sport has been awarded through Legacy Trust UK, to develop the UK School Games each year until 2011. For more information visit www.youthsporttrust.org.

This article appeared in Royal Borough Observer 11 Sep 09

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