Nicola Gaisford won the under-17 women's heptathlon in style at the Essex Combined Events Championships in Watford held jointly with other county associations from the south of England.

The Colchester Harriers athlete was the overall winner as she beat competitors from across the south of England by amassing 3,961 points.

In the 80 metre hurdles she finished in 11.98 seconds, in the high jump she cleared 1.63m while in the shot putt she threw 6.83m.

She followed this up by clocking 27.1s in the 200m, leaping to 4.56m in the long jump and securing a personal best in the javelin with a throw of 20.42.

She completed her events with a 2m 34.31 clocking in the 800m.

Competing in the under-17 men's octathlon for the first time, Michael Holden finished fifth overall and top Essex athlete with a total points score of 3,675.

Vicki Wheatland continued her progress with an eighth position in the under-15 girls' pentathlon.

Published Tuesday, September 28, 2004

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