CIARAN Cooper opened his indoor season in excellent style by smashing his personal best to win the South West Under 20 men’s 800m title in Cardiff, writes KEVIN FAHEY.

Running his first 800 of 2015, the 17-year-old Swindon Harrier from Lower Stratton scorched around the four-lap race in one minute 54.48 seconds.

That was more than 10 seconds quicker than he ran at this stage last year and the first time he has broken two minutes indoors.

“I was really surprised with that sort of time,” said Cooper.

“I knew I had been training well but thought I would probably open up with around 1:57. That is a big PB and hopefully I can go even quicker at the England Athletics Championships at the end of the month.”

Another Harrier in action in Cardiff was Bethany Large and she finished second in the senior women’s shot competition with a throw of 8.44m.

n ZOE Wassell tried everything she could to win the inter girls’ race at the South West Schools’ Cross Country Championships and give Wiltshire a home champion at Grittleton House School.

The 15-year-old Malmesbury School student stuck resolutely to early leader Yoyo Barnsley of Cornwall as the pair pulled clear of the field.

Every time Wassell tried to pass, Barnsley upped the tempo as the pair delivered one of the most exciting races of the day.

Ultimately, Barnsley proved strong enough to secure a memorable victory, while Wassell’s big effort may well have cost her the silver medal as she was later passed by Dorset’s Serena O’Connor and had to settle for bronze.

“I was going for the top three before the event but as the race went on I thought I could win it,” said Wassell, who lives in Tetbury.

Callum Bampton was aiming for a bronze medal in the senior boys’ race but the 17-year-old Ridgeway School student from Chiseldon had to settle for fifth place.

It was his first defeat of the year after three victories but Bampton was not too disheartened, especially as he has another year in the age group.

Wassell’s bronze was one of three medals won by Wiltshire runners.

The brightest medal was the silver won by Melksham Oak School’s Will Stockley in the inter boys’ race and there was a bronze for St Augustine’s Rory Howorth in the junior boys’ event.

But this event isn’t just about to medal winners, with most of the runners having reached their goal by just qualifying to represent their county.

“It was a brilliant event and I really enjoyed it,” said Nova Hreod teenager Chloe Crippen, who came 47th and fifth Wiltshire runner in the inter girls’ age group.

Crippen was recently named Young Sportswoman of the Year at the Swindon Advertiser Sports Awards after winning the Swindon Schools’ Cross Country District title, so her winter has already been a big success.

Sophie Smith of St John’s School & Community College in Marlborough ran well to finish 11th and first Wiltshire athlete in the minor girls’ age group. Fellow school runner Beth Mayer was 24th.