Eleanor Markendale produced a fighting display for the England B Team at the Home Countries’ Combined Events Match at Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium.
In the very first event of the heptathlon, the 100 metres hurdles, she hit the ninth hurdle so hard she almost crashed out, but finished in 15.91 seconds.
The 18-year-old, from Pendle (pictured), quickly put the disappointment behind her to equal her personal best of 1.64m in the high jump, and then a consistent series over the two days hauled her final score up to 4572 points and ninth overall.
Each team consisted of six athletes including at least one each in the U17, U20, U23 and senior age groups and England dominated in both the men’s and women’s series.
The competition was the last in this season’s UK Challenge Series, and over the season Eleanor has finished second U20, an improvement from third in 2007.
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