A GROUP of 18 of York’s top performing under-17 athletes have joined the England Athletics – Yorkshire and Humberside regional development talent squad.

Recruits to the squad include City of York Athletics Club trio Laura Skelton, (U15s high jump, 75 metre hurdles) in the jumps and combined events squads; Jess Elsworth (U17s javelin and high jump) in the jumps, throws and combined events line-ups; and Liam Diegan (U15s javelin) in the throws and combined events squads.

The 200-strong 2008/9 talent squad has been selected by England Athletics based on the athletes’ competition results and performances during the summer season.

All team members are deemed to be the best in the Yorkshire and Humberside, showing potential which could include them in the 2012 Olympics.

Marie Dixon, regional manager at England Athletics – Yorkshire and Humberside, the regional governing body for the sport, said: “This year’s squad has some outstanding talent.

“There are definitely a number of young athletes that will be ones to watch in 2012 and we hope that the additional training and support they receive from us and CE Electric UK will help them get to the top.”

The City of York contingent also includes Jessica Foster in the jumps squad (U17s triple jump), plus Rebecca Tunicliffe (U15s javelin and shot putt) and Kirsty Taylor (U17 discus) in the throws squad.

The endurance squad includes York’s Oliver Dixon (U15s) and Ryan Buck (U17s), while Ben Wilbur (U15s 200m) and Tom Kimpson (U15s 400m) are in the speed squad.

Sam Blain is joined in the U15s throws’ squad by fellow hammer athletes Sam Beavers, Luke Slater and Lloyd Woolacott, while Scott Lincoln has been selected for the shot putt.

The hurdles squad includes U17s Ollie Palmer and Adam Collinson, while James Buck (U17s) is in the combined events line-up.