Apprentice brickie on road to sporting stardom (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

Apprentice brickie on road to sporting stardom

2:55pm Wednesday 23rd May 2012 in News

A BRICKLAYER has received a shot in the arm after competing for his country in athletics.

Darlington College apprentice Scott Lincoln has just competed for England and Great Britain in his chosen sport of shot put.

The 19-year-old, of Brompton, Northallerton, came second in Sweden in the U20s category at the Swedish Throwing Festival and he was placed fourth in the Loughborough Internationa.

For his age Scott is ranked number one in the country and he is a member of City of York Athletics Club, where he is coached by Paul Wilson.

The NVQ bricklaying student started throwing the shot put at school where his natural talent was discovered and he has ambitions to be selected for Great Britain at the Commonwealth Games in two years time and the 2016 Olympic Games.

He is currently training five nights a week for the UK Championships in two weeks’ time, where he has high hopes of winning.

"I was quite pleased with my performance as it was the first time I had competed at this level," he said.

"I need to be up around the 19m mark to qualify for the World Juniors in July and I am not too far off that. I just want to keep improving and enjoying the competition."

College principal Tim Grant said: "Scott is truly gifted and is a real contender for future success at the highest level.

"His commitment also extends from his sport to his studies where he is an exemplary student."