TWO of Oxfordshire’s rising stars are basking in glory after landing the biggest titles of their athletics careers.

Jade O’Dowda clinched the intermediate girls heptathlon and Tim Stephens the senior boys decathlon at the ESAA English Schools’ 29th Combined Events Champion-ships.

The successes mark the continuation of a stellar year for the Oxford City duo, who have both earned England call-ups in 2016.

But their high-profile victories in Exeter have taken the duo to a new level.

“I knew I was capable of winning and it was just about doing it on the day,” said O’Dowda, whose clear-cut victory came with a personal best score.

The 17-year-old has been in impressive form, defending her national under 17 heptathlon crown last month, before winning 80m hurdles gold at the School Games three weeks ago.

O’Dowda, who attends Gosford Hill School, in Kidlington, was never headed as she amassed 5,226 points, moving her up to second in the all-time British under 17 rankings, overtaking double Olympian Katarina Johnson-Thompson.

O’Dowda will make her international debut for England in December.

She said: “It has been my best season yet.

“Winning an England vest was my main goal and I feel very proud.”

Stephens, competing in the under 20 age group, looked an unlikely winner going into the final event – the 1,500m.

After lying third in the standings, the 18-year-old, from Headington, produced a superb run to climb above his rivals into top spot.

The performance also saw Stephens climb to fourth in the British rankings.

“It was a great feeling to win,” he said.

“Coming into the season I thought I could medal at English Schools, so to win was a big surprise.”

The Oxfordshire heptathlon team finished fourth, with Zoe Pollock, Rebecca Scott, Victoria Harte and Petrina Chantler Edmond also competing.

Holly Griffiths-Brown came 31st in the junior girls pentathlon.

GLORY for Tim Stephens and Jade O’Dowda proved emotional for their coach.

Marcia Marriott ended a ten-year spell away from the sport when agreeing to mentor the duo in 2013, along with husband Ian.

But after they won gold medals in the English Schools Combined Championships at Exeter, their coach was unable to hold back the tears.  

“In all the years I have been coaching it was one of the proudest moments I have had,” said Marcia.

“I did have a few tears – I tried to hold them back – but I was emotionally drained.

“I had a lump in my throat.”