Last updated at 21:00, Wednesday, 18 January 2012

High jump sensation Emily Cummings, 16, captured the North of England Under-17 indoor title in her first event for three months.

Emily Cummings

It was feared the Seaton AC starlet would miss the Sheffield event after picking up a serious injury in November.

But she battled back to fitness and form to take the title with a new indoor best of 1.70 metres – the same height as the winning jump in the under-20s and senior women’s events.

Emily, from Whitehaven, beat the second, third and fourth-ranked jumpers in her age group from last year, winning by 5cm.

Coach Stephen Hughes said: “The other girls all train on an indoor surface each week but we have to travel to Manchester or Gateshead Stadium to get a full indoor run-up in to Emily, so it’s testament to our commitment.”

“It makes all the travelling and time worthwhile when it’s rewarded with such a brilliant win.”

“Two months ago I never thought we would even make the event after Emily injured her take-off foot in November, but constant rehab work, including wobble board, general strengthening and foot stability exercise, got her back on track.”

She cleared her opening jump of 1.55m, then 1.60m and 1.65m, all first time, before leaping 1.70m on her second attempt.

Next for Emily is the AAA UK Championships at the end of February in Birmingham followed by the Scottish Championships a week later in Glasgow.

Hughes thanked all at the Cumbria Sports Academy in Whitehaven for opening the facility over Christmas and New Year to allow her to get in extra sessions.

First published at 17:04, Wednesday, 18 January 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk