McLean still inspired by missing out on world juniors

Rising StarsSPAR Sprint Stars

By Ryan Walters,

HAYLEY McLean believes she still has plenty more to give despite storming to gold at the English Schools’ Track and Field Championships.

MORE TO GIVE: Hayley McLean with her gold medal from the English Schools’ Track and Field Championships

The 17-year-old had hoped to be spending last week in Barcelona for the World Junior Championships, but after missing out on the qualifying standard by just seven hundredths of a second McLean instead had to settle for a trip to the Gateshead International Stadium.

McLean was eager to make up for missing out on the trip to Spain, storming to senior 400m hurdles gold in 60.01secs, almost two seconds faster than her nearest rival.

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But despite comfortably claiming the top step of the podium, McLean is adamant she can go faster still, the disappointment of not reaching Spain set to spur her on all the way to next season.

“I didn’t think my performance was too good but I got the win that I was going for so I guess overall it was alright,” said McLean.

“My season had been going pretty well and I had been trying to qualify for the world juniors and got pretty close but I have gone downhill from there.

“Technically it has been fine but just time-wise I have not run the fastest I know I am capable of.

“I ran about two-and-a-half seconds down from my personal best but the title is great to have, so it’s brilliant.

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“I think my first 200m is quite laboured and it takes me quite a while to get going. My last 200m is faster, which is quite weird, and so if I come out faster I think I will get there.”

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