JADE O’Dowda continued her stellar season by winning 80m hurdles gold at the School Games in Loughborough.

The Oxford City star beat defending champion Pippa Earley by 0.17secs to cross in a club record time of 11.27.

She has now shot to the top of the national under 17 hurdles rankings.

It comes just two weeks after the Gosford Hill, Kidlington, pupil retained her under 17 heptathlon crown at the England Combined Events Championships in Bedford.

O’Dowda said: “It feels really good to be a gold medallist at the School Games.

“It was really close on the last hurdle, but I knew I had to get to the line and I knew it was close.”

The event was held over four days, with more than 1,500 athletes taking part.

O’Dowda, who is coached by Marcia and Ian Marriott at Horspath, enjoyed the experience.

She added: “It was really good.

“I did not realise how many athletes were there and I really wanted to get out to see some other sports, but I didn’t really have time.

“It was really fun living together in the athletes’ village and I have made a lot of new friends, who I will be keeping in contact with.”

Banbury’s Emily Thompson also won a medal in the under 17 category, clinching silver in the 800m.

Clubmate Seb Hartwell came fourth in the under 17 boys 400m.

The 2016 School Games is supported by a range of partners including the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Sport England, Youth Sport Trust, Department of Health and British Paralympic Association. Visit www.2016schoolgames.com for more information.