Adel Nicoll is on track for her Euro mission
Adele Nicoll insists it's all systems go for the European Junior Championships after an encouraging outing at the British Championships.
The Welshpool athlete had a busy schedule at Birmingham's Alexander Stadium, competing in first the discus and then her favoured shot put event.
Eighth in the former, Nicoll achieved her best ever finish at the Championships when she threw 14.72m to finish fourth in the shot putt.
Despite missing out on the medals, Nicoll was certainly not downbeat with her main target being the European Junior Championships in Eskilstuna, Sweden, which start on Thursday.
The 18-year-old has been training in Portugal with her coach Volodymyr Zinchenko and with preparations on track for Sweden, Nicoll is aiming high.
"Coming off of last year I really had the aim just to make the team for the European Under-23s and I did that," said the former Oswestry Olympian.
"Now I've set another target, I want to make the final and I want to throw far.
"I didn't want to peak in Birmingham, I want to peak for the Europeans.
"It's going well. I'm going to hit it hard and hopefully smash it at Europeans.
"I had a solid week of training in Portugal with my coach where I trained twice a day getting ready for the Championships.
"When I'm at home I don't normally get to train as much as I have other commitments, work, school.
"So I'm not training as much as these athletes are. I don't get that much opportunity. I know when I do get that opportunity I can produce some big distances."
Nicoll has certainly enjoyed a successful 2015 so far, including taking the England Under-20 title in Bedford last month.
And after mixing it with the best in Britain in Birmingham, Nicoll is confident the next few years will see her get even closer.
"Getting a medal wasn't really my aim. I'm ranked fourth so to come out fourth is the most I could expect. Hopefully in a couple of years you can see me getting a medal," she added.
"I'm going to do a few league meetings domestically for Birchfield Harriers and then wait until next season and hit it hard."
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