SPRINTER Emily Wardle is living up to her huge potential as one of the area's finest 100m prospects.

Hailed last year as one of the Rutland Times' young stars of the future, the 16-year-old has lopped 0.12 seconds off her previous personal best to clock a magnificent 12.78 at Birmingham's Alexander Stadium.

"It would be nice to get 12.50 soon," she mused, and having had her training disrupted by taking 13 GCSEs at Oakham's Vale of Catmose College, coach Joe McDonnell sees no reason why Emily shouldn't continue to slice away those extra seconds within the next year in her ongoing bid for national recognition.

The Kings Lynn-born sprint prospect has already spoken of her burning ambition to compete in the European trials and, from there, the Olympics. The omens are good. The current Leicestershire and Rutland Under-17s champion, she already competes in three athletics leagues, including the senior division in which she often beats women more than five years older.

Emily took to sprinting at an early age but it wasn't until she attended a schools sports event in Leicester at the age of 12 that she was attracted to join an athletics club. Fortunately she picked one of the best in Charnwood AC where Joe McDonnell has not only helped develop her sprinting technique but advised her on a rigorous training schedule which includes core exercises, circuit training and, because she's a vegetarian, a diet packed with proteins.

Her main attribute is that explosive start. With Joe's help, Emily is developing that vital burst from the blocks which is the hallmark of such champions as Florence Griffith-Joyner who holds the world record with 10.49.

"A good start is vital in sprints and false starts are a problem at every level," she said. "I'm tense before a race but relaxed when I get on track.

"Concentration is everything and I'm oblivious to everything around me when I'm racing. Joe advised me to focus on a spot on the track 40m ahead so that's my immediate goal."

Emily is the daughter of Keith and Cathie Wardle of Melton and has a brother, Lewis, who is a highly promising long jumper. Keith is a technical liaison manager and Cathie works as a school nurse assistant at Rutland Memorial Hospital and though neither admits to being athletic, Cathie ran alongside Emily in last year's 5k Race For Life and enjoyed the experience. "Emily has a natural talent and her life is totally centred on athletics. She trains at least six hours a week, works hard and we're really proud of her," said Mum.

The Wardles are also enamoured of their daughter's attempts to get more youngsters to take up the sport. Last year Emily and three friends at the the college helped organise a Mini-Olympics which attracted pupils from five primary schools. "It was a great success," she said. "We organised different events and the children really enjoyed themselves. It showed us there was lots of young talent in Rutland."

Soon to be an A-level student in Leicester, with the eventual aim of being a fashion journalist, Emily's immediate athletic aims are to qualify for the 2010 English Schools Championships and reach the European trials. "I love the sport and especially the pride of winning medals," she told an audience at a special "young stars" night at Greetham Valley Golf Club. Quite right too, and the selectors are hopefully watching.