TRACK and field starlet Caitlyn Mapps will be looking to add more medals to her collection over the next few months after sprinting to silver at the Welsh Championships.

The Blackwood teenager clocked a wind-assisted personal best of 25.81 seconds as she finished a close second to Macey Morris in the under-15 girls’ 200m in Cardiff last Saturday.

Morris, of Newport Harriers, won the event for the second year running, crossing the line in 25.63 seconds, while Danai Mugabe from Swansea Harriers was third.

Mapps, aged 14, was pleased with her performance in the capital, particularly given the windy conditions which forced organisers to finish the sprint races at the end of the back straight.

Coached by Phil Warwicker at Cardiff Archers, the youngster, who used to be a member of Newport Harriers, is now focused on representing South East Wales at the Welsh Schools Championships.

Taking place in Cardiff on Saturday, July 1, the championships bring together the best talent Wales’ schools have to offer.

Mapps will be involved in the 4x100m relay and long jump, the discipline she won gold in at the same meeting last year.

August sees the Islwyn High School pupil head up to Wrexham for the Welsh Junior Championships, before the British Championships in Bedford later that month.

Mapps is grateful for the support she receives from the PE department at Islwyn High School, her club coach, and Caerphilly County Borough Council through the Caerphilly Elite scheme.

Meanwhile, Gwent athletics stalwarts were on the receiving end of special awards at last weekend’s Welsh Championships.

The Welsh Athletics Award of Honour is usually presented to mark a special performance or for service (at least 25 years) to the sport in Wales.

This year’s recipients included husband and wife team Gordon and Rose Johnson and fellow Gwent Cross Country League stalwart Arthur Davies.

The Award of Meritorious Service is also given to mark a special achievement or for service (at least 15 years) to Welsh athletics.

Newport Harriers’ Keith Powell was among the winners, along with official Jenny Cook, Cardiff AAC clubman Bernie Plain and Mary Davies.