Alex ready for glory with GB

Jul 18 2007 by James Maloney, Birkenhead News

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UPTON Hall School long jump star Alexandra Russell has been selected for the under-20s Great Britain team competing in the European Olympic Youth Festival in Belgrade at the end of July.

Russell, who was unable to compete in this year’s indoor athletics season and has missed most of the major events in the outdoor season, has bounced back from a recurring pelvic injury to win a place on Team GB.

Following Alex’s win at the Merseyside County Schools Championships, she was selected for the English Schools team competing in Bordeaux, where she came third in her event with a jump of 5.85m.

Her result confirmed the teenager’s place in the GB team. Alex is no stranger to international competition, having enjoyed success for the Catholic Schools team in Spain (2005) and Hungary (2006), as well as holding the Championship Record and winning for the English Schools team in Portugal (2005).

She gained her first GB vest at the World Youth Games in Marrakech in 2005, but competed for the most of 2006 with a recurring pelvic injury.

Unfortunately, an ankle injury surfaced and appeared to have been the root cause of the pelvic problems. Alex, who competes for Wigan Harriers & District AC but continues to train at Wirral Athletics Club under the guidance of coaches George Owens, Paul Waters and Phil Keenan, is slowly regaining her form and the condition appears stable at present.

Proud dad Vernon said: “Alex is obviously delighted at her selection for the GB team. Her only regret is that she will be unable to defend her Championship title at this year's Catholic Student Games in Hungary, since the Games clash with the Olympic Festival.”