Final place out of reach for Cooksey (From Worcester News)

Final place out of reach for Cooksey

8:10pm Sunday 12th July 2009 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(0)

SPRINT star Mel Cooksey failed to progress through 200-metre qualifying at the Aviva World Trials and UK Championships in Birmingham.

With just the winner of each of the four semi-finals guaranteed a final berth, plus the four fastest losers, Cooksey, who lives in Worcester, faced a near impossible task to progress.

With a fastest time in 2009 of 23.8 seconds in the 200m — set in Birmingham last month — Cooksey was always up against it with Anyika Onuora and Donna Fraser both also drawn in the third semi-final.

The Tipton Harriers star finished third in a time of 24.38, with Onuora (23.91) and Fraser (24.29) both pipping her to the line in first and second respectively.

“It wasn’t as fast as I’d have liked it to have been,” said Cooksey. “The performance could have been better but I always think it can be.

“I’ve ran quicker than that already this season so it was a bit disappointing. I wanted to break 24 seconds again, but that wasn’t the case.”

Cooksey, who is Worcestershire County Cricket Club’s press officer, was left frustrated with her performance at the Alexander Stadium after admitting she had been in excellent form in recent weeks.

With no major championships left to aim for this summer, Cooksey plans to have a much-needed rest in the coming days before hitting the track hard in the remaining weeks of the summer season.

The sprinter has targeted another sub 24-second 200m this season as she looks to finish 2009 with a flourish.

“I’ve got a bit of a rest coming up, then I don’t know after that, there’s nothing really scheduled other than national leagues,” added Cooksey. “I’ve been in really good shape recently, so I’d like to have run quicker but you can’t always do it. I’ve been running really well in training. I just want to run sub-24 again this season.”

As Principal Partner of UKA, McCain has a long term commitment to athletics that will have a significant impact on the development of athletic talent in the UK and will increase opportunities for people of all ages to get involved in the sport. For more information, go to mccaintrackandfield.co.uk