CIARAN Cooper has been left out of the Wiltshire team for the English Schools’ Championships in Gateshead next weekend.

The 18-year-old Swindon Harrier and coach Bryan Clinton were stunned by the decision of the county selectors to leave out the New College student from Lower Stratton, especially as he is currently top of the South West U20 men’s rankings in the 800m.

“I just don’t understand it at all,” said Cooper.

“I have run 1min 53.73secs, which is inside the qualifying standard (1:54.0) but didn’t get picked, but others who haven’t made the time have been selected for the team. I just don’t know what their logic is.”

Cooper ran his season’s best in Manchester at the end of May the week after winning the county clubs’ title. He didn’t contest the Wiltshire Schools’ – the senior boys’ 800m wasn’t held due to no entries – but was selected to present the county at the South West Schools’ Championships.

Unfortunately, Cooper had his worst run of the season and finished a below-par sixth in 2:03.95, a performance that clearly influenced the selectors’ deliberations.

“Yes I had a bad run at the South West but I think I was a bit burnt out from having run so many 800m early on in trying to get that qualifying standard,” added Cooper.

“I think that is why they didn’t pick me and it is a shame as I really wanted to run the English Schools’ as it is my last chance this year. I didn’t do well last year and I badly wanted to put that right.”

Cooper lodged a protest against the decision but that was rejected so he won’t be travelling with the squad.

“Now I am determined to go and run a very fast 800m to prove to the selectors that they should have picked me,” said Cooper.

“But I hope Wiltshire do well because they have some very good athletes in the team.”

Cooper may be staying at home but three other Harriers did make the cut. Long jumpers Abbey Miles (inters) and Gam Dumbutshena (inters) plus junior girls’ hammer thrower Zoe-Ann Bishop have made the 25-strong squad.