Katrina leads wave of 2012 hopefuls

Liverpool’s athletic core will continue to out-perform their rivals, according to Harriers coach Arwel Williams, who is putting them on course for Olympic glory. He said: “We have a great bunch of boys and girls here who are constantly achieving what has been set before them. Funding has helped, and the desire to do their best in local and national competition proves to me that these athletes will be ready for 2012.”

Star of the moment is Liverpool pentathlete Katrina
Thompson, 17, who has become one of the shining
lights of British athletics, as she continues to destroy all
age records that have gone before her. Coach Williams
added: “Katrina has gone from strength to strength. She
has focused on her technique and it has paid dividends.”

Katrina won The Capita Sporting Honours Awards, Young
Sports Person of the Year honour in March. She also
won the outdoor England high and long jump titles.
She holds the UK Under 15 pentathlon record, UK
Under 17 heptathlon record and the UK Under 20 record.
She tops UK U20 rankings in the pentathlon, heptathlon
and high jump.

Katarina joined Liverpool Harriers when she started
secondary school in September 2004. She competes in combined and multi-events, so her training has to be greater than an athlete in an individual event. On average, this year she has trained between 10-12 hours per week.

Her mother Tracey is to be seen accompanying her at every training session and competition. Not being distracted by her own success, Katarina has also attained a junior coaching award.

Coach Williams added: “Alongside other athletes in country, Katrina has forged a place as number one. She has broken records that are not even in her age category, and we hope it will continue.”