WIMBORNE AC star Louise Watton is setting her sights on European Junior Championship glory this summer after finishing last season as the top ranked under-17 javelin thrower in the country.

Watton's season's-best throw of 46.94 metres, set at the English Schools' Championships in July, saw the 16-year sensation end her outdoor campaign over three metres ahead of her nearest age-group rival Hayley Thomas from Essex.

The Lytchett Minster schoolgirl's distance was so impressive that she also lies third in the national under-20 rankings less than a metre down on numbers one and two Helen Mounteney (47.73m) and Samantha Redd (47.66m), both of whom Watton has beaten in competition before.

And after breaking her eighth British age-group record in just two seasons, Watton is now looking for international honours.

The teenager's best chance of a call-up could come at the European Youth Olympic Days in Paris in July.

But, Watton's father and coach Tim is not ruling out selection for the Junior Championships in Finland later the same month even though it is an under-20s event and Watton will still not have turned 17 by that competition.

Alongside her English Schools' title, the Wimborne athlete also triumphed at the South of England Inter-Counties Under-20 and Under-15 Championships at Barnet Copthall beating internationals Redd, Jo Chapman and Louise Matthews in the process.

And Watton was also included in the 2002 UK Merit Awards for senior women, positioned 12th overall.

Watton's father believes her performances over the last couple of seasons, coupled with her outstanding preparation and dedication, bode well for the coming season.

She has recently been using the superb facilities at Bath University in addition to her normal training and has stepped up her routine, training every day of the last school holidays apart from Christmas Day.

This season she hopes to throw 50m and force her way into the senior rankings.

Despite a recent £250 grant from the Wareham Rotary Club, Watton still needs sponsorship.

Anyone interested in helping her out should contact Tim Watton on 01202 632468.