Four Avon stars aiming for more success in Sheffield

Four former medallists have been named in the 35-strong Avon squad for the Aviva English Schools' Track & Field Championships at the Don Valley Stadium, in Sheffield, next weekend.

The most successful off the current crop is 18-year-old Emily Diamond, who this week was selected for the Great Britain team for the European Under-20 Championships in Serbia.

Diamond has twice won silver at the English Schools', finishing second in the 200m for the past two years. The Bristol Grammar School student would love to make that gold in her final appearance in the event but can expect stiff opposition.

Fellow sprinter Ruth Dean also has a silver medal to her name from the junior girls' 100m three years ago and the Whitchurch-based athlete will be hoping her considerable experience will give her an edge as a first-year senior.

Cameron Walker-Shepherd struck silver in Gateshead last year and, while he has now moved up into the senior age, has the ability to get on to the podium again.

Likewise, Adam McBraida, who won the inter boys' title at South West Multi-Events Championships last weekend, is a talented all-rounder and will be seeking to add to the bronze he won in the junior boys' 80m hurdles in 2007.

Competition will be tougher than any of the athletes have experienced before and places in finals, let alone medals, are extremely hard to come-by.

But Avon has several other notable contenders, including Ding Yang, James Preston – who has twice finished fourth – Floren Scrafton and Natasha Lewis.

Avon squad for the Aviva English Schools' Track & Field Championships, Don Valley Stadium, Sheffield – Junior Boys: Oliver Haines (Marlwood), Elliot Prendergast (Fairfield), Geovaughen Bury (St Mary Redcliffe), Alex Taylor (Brimsham Green), Jacob Hobden (Broadoak).

Inter Boys: Brett Halliwell (Downend), Ryan Ashwood (Kingsfield), Adam McBraida (Kingswood), Taylor Stevens (Mangotsfield), Luke Bailey (Colstons), Conor Farr (Norton Hill), Max Cresswell (Clifton College), Matthew Norton (Nailsea).

Senior Boys: Scott Bajere (Ashton Park), Gary Coleman (Filton College), Matthew Parker (Downend), Ding Yang (Colstons), Cameron Walker Shepherd (St Brendans College), James Preston (The Grange),

Junior Girls: Lily Owsley (Clifton College), Amelia Hempleman Adams (Prior Park), Bethan Wakefield (Backwell).

Inter Girls: Hayley Smith (Patchway Community), Floren Scrafton (Fairfield), Aoife Thorogood (St Gregorys), Natasha Lewis (Oldfield), Zoe Laing (Colston's Girls), Sophie Wells (Downend, Jessica Flower (Ralph Allen).

Senior Girls: Ruth Dean (Oldfield), Emily Diamond (Bristol Grammar), Hannah Alderson (St Brendans), Eleanor Wimshurst (BGS), Bethan Jones (Brimsham Green), Hayley Green (Ridings High).

Diamond warms up for the English Schools' showdown by appearing in the Bristol & West AC team for third Midland Counties League Division One fixture at University of Bath tomorrow.

She will be joined in the women's team by fellow internationals Claire Hallissey and Kate Goodhead, while there is also a strong turn-out in the throws.

The men's side have been robbed of the injured Ben Coghlan, who has a knee problem, while Scott Bajere is treating his tight hamstring for next weekend's trip to Sheffield.

"The team is holding up very well," said team manager Chris Elson.

Bristol & West trailed in last on the opening match but then bounced back to win the second fixture, so it will be interesting to see which team turns up tomorrow for what, on paper at least, is the 'home' fixture.

Sadly Whitchurch is not up to scratch to stage it.

Yate & District AC have mirrored Bristol's fortunes in Division Three and lie third overall as they head to Rugby.

"I don't think we will be as strong as last time but better than the first match, so I'm not sure how we will get on," said team boss Graham Howell.

Bitton Road Runners' Ross Hale competes in an Ironman event in Austria this weekend.