Yoyo Barnsley '17 Recruiting Profile

I love running and have been involved in school, county, regional and national track and cross country championships.  I am excited about taking my running as far as I can.   This year has been especially satisfying for both cross country and 1500m track running, I came third at the National Cross Country Championships and third in the 1500m at the England Athletics U15 / U17 & IPC Championships.  Athletics Weekly  ranked me at the end of the cross county season in 5th overall, a year young, in the U17 Category.  I broke a 26 year old Cornish record in the Mile and made my first UK All Time ranking list for that distance.  I finished the 1500m U17 season ranked 7th nationally.  I approach the cross country season feeling excited and won my first race over just under 5K, against U17 but also senior women, I will be taking part in the UK Athletics Cross Challenge season which I have done for the last two years.  Every year I feel I am getting stronger, faster and growing in confidence. I was selected again to take part in the Virgin Young Athletes Endurance camp held at St Mary's University, last year I met the inspirational Mo Farah, this year the amazing Hannah England and benefited from expert coaching and nutritional advice.  I have been invited to take part in the UK Athletics AASE (Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence) scheme because I am in the top ten in my sport (Link http://www.britishathletics.org.uk/media/news/2015-news-page/september-2015/24-09-15-aase-2016/)   I am part of Cornwall Athletic Club, represent the County and also the South West at regional and national events.  I am coached by John Knowles and train every day except Friday.  I am also part of the High Performance programme at Truro College where a coach has selected just five athletes, focusing on gym work.  

Some words from my coach John Knowles:  I have been coaching Yoyo for the last four years. In the early stages of her development Yoyo has engaged in the basic understanding of a developing middle distance athlete. We have worked on fundamental running skills and base fitness. Over time Yoyo has worked exceedingly hard and has grown in stature and maturity as a middle distance athlete. Yoyo knows the requirements and necessity as an athlete the reasons why there is a need to work on strength & conditioning and speed work. This has proved invaluable to Yoyo in her improvement as a middle distance athlete. We have worked on periodisation training plans to cover Cross Country and Track & Field. Yoyo has responded well to all aspects of the training plan and with her overwhelming enthusiasm and positive attitude to her training she has been rewarded with some excellent results in major competitions.  Yoyo is one of many local athletes who are part of Team JK training group which includes Molly Long (800m). Yoyo has trained very well as a member of the group, working with both male and female athletes. She is popular, and gets on well with all on a social level. Yoyo is communicative, confident, polite young lady and a real pleasure to coach.   

 
 
John Knowles