A 17-year-old sports science student from Uxbridge College is celebrating an unexpected success in the England Athletics Age Group Indoor Championships Stephanie Clitheroe came 5th in the final of the U20s 60m hurdles despite being the youngest in the race, ranked only 10th, and in her first year competing the U20s age group.

She also achieved a personal best of 8.81 seconds in the championships at the National Indoor Arena (NIA) Birmingham. 

Stephanie, who trains with Windsor Slough Eton and Hounslow Athletic Club, and lives in Hicks Rise Farm, High Wycombe, said: “I wasn’t expecting to be placed at all as I was ranked 10th and this is the first year I am competing in the U20s, so I am really pleased. “I have been involved in sport since I was nine, there are photos of me in races at primary school in front of all the boys which is quite funny.

“I would love to go to the Rio Olympics in 2016 but would probably not be at my peak until 2020 anyway.”

Matt Lane, Sports Lecturer at Uxbridge College, said: "It’s fantastic to see Steph do so well at the weekend, her result is just reward for her hard work and commitment. To place fifth in the country in her first year competing at U20s is an outstanding achievement especially as she combines her training with the demands of full time studies on a level three BTEC course and playing for the College netball team.

"Stephanie is a young lady with a bright future; she has the necessary attributes to succeed in both her sporting and academic careers. We all look forward to watching her progress and achieve to her full potential over the coming years."