WARRINGTON’S Carys McAulay admitted her season could not have gone more according to plan after she clinched gold at the Sainsbury’s 2014 School Games in Manchester.

McAulay was among more than 1,600 talented athletes to descend on Manchester to compete in 12 sports across four action-packed days at the annual event.

And there were few brighter talents on show than 16-year-old Bridgewater High School pupil McAulay, who stormed to gold in the 800m in 2:10.54mins.

The Warrington Athletics Club middle-distance runner is confident she is on target for even better things next season, as she aims to chip away at her personal best times.

“I think it went really well," she said. "At the start I was stiff and tired and wanted to see how I went but midway through I thought I had nothing left to lose. I went for it and I won, so I’m pretty happy with that.

“It ranks pretty high up, I won English Schools’ but this is the biggest competition I’ve been to and the best I’ve been to. I loved every second of it, it’s a dream come true that I won it.

“This is my last event and I got the time I wanted by the end of the year. I want to start incorporating 400m into racing and get my time down as much as I can in the 800m – hopefully I’ll win a few more races.”

The School Games have helped to launch the careers of a host of British athletes, including heptathlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson and Paralympic swimmer Ellie Simmonds who were watching on intently.

And Johnson-Thompson, who won long jump silver at the World Indoor Championships earlier this year, believes the School Games can be the perfect springboard for Warrington teenager McAulay.

“At the School Games you’re part of something bigger than one athletics competition,” she said.

“It’s a multi-sport event and the athletes are in a village atmosphere and they get to be part of an opening ceremony as well which you never have in athletics.

“The School Games reminds me of the Olympics. You’re there because you are the best in your region and you want to do well in the competition. It’s a huge stepping stone and you learn and mature as an athlete.

“There are a few talents around and there will definitely be some people to look out for in the future.”

The Sainsbury’s 2014 School Games, which is supported by National Lottery funding from Sport England and delivered by the Youth Sport Trust, was held in venues across Manchester from 4-7 September 2014. Visit www.2014schoolgames.com for more information.