Jessica has opened her season in spectacular fashion, truthfully much better than I expected. In Italy a personal best in the heptathlon of 6388 points which also broke Denise Lewis’s British best for an under 23. An equal British Record in the High Jump of 1.95m, both being the highlights for most people.
For me the highlights were the personal bests in the 100m Hurdles (13.12 secs) and Long Jump (6.40m) and the confident performance in the 800m.
The long jump is the key to Jessica’s long term success in heptathlon. With her speed and jumping ability in the high Jump, she has under achieved in this event.
This is by no means a finished article and a consistent performance in the 6.50m region is required to really challenge for medals in Heptathlon.
Jessica’s throws are considered her main weakness. They are weak, but throws take a long time to develop in someone who isn’t a natural thrower. Yet year on year Jessica’s throws have moved on, all be it very slowly.
With performances at the Yorkshire County Championships of 12.70m in the Shot Putt, and at the Loughborough International a personal best of 37.05m in the Javelin, both continue to show the steady progression needed to perform at the next level.
Jessicas next competition will be the UK Women’s League in Manchester where she will be competing in the Long Jump, 100m Hurdles and Shot Putt.
