Athletics: Dennison aiming for a new high at Olympic trials
POLE-vaulter Kate Dennison insists she has been performing better than scoreboards have suggested this season – and is eager to prove the point at this weekend's Olympic trials.
The 28-year-old from Alsager had long been the poster girl of British women's pole-vaulting, breaking the national record 10 times in 2009.
However, she has had to play second fiddle over the past year to compatriot Holly Bleasdale, who has raised the bar to 4.87m, way ahead of Dennison's best of 4.61m.
With the top two at the trials in Birmingham set for a spot at London 2012, it would take a brave punter to bet against the duo both featuring at the Olympic Stadium.
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But with Dennison keen to prove that she has been performing better than a season's best 4.52m suggests, she is adamant she heads to the Alexander Stadium not about to settle for second best.
"Training and competitions have been going OK ahead of the trials," she said.
"I am in a fairly good position heading into the trials with a couple of A standards under my belt.
"I really think I have been jumping better than my results have shown, but I guess the aim is to do that at the trials.
"I always said that the target was to jump at least 4.60m by now, and the target for the season is 4.70m.
"But I suppose you can jump 20cm in one competition, and to do that and get an Olympic spot in the process isn't bad at all."
Dennison believes her rivalry with Bleasdale will only benefit the pair.
But while Bleasdale is new to the Olympic selection process, Dennison has been there and got the T-shirt, bowing out in the qualifying round in Beijing in 2008.
"It is good having Holly around to push me on and vice versa, and hopefully we can give each other a good run in Birmingham," added Dennison.
"Whatever happens I will be going there for the win and so will Holly."
Back the team and watch more than 750 British athletes at the Aviva 2012 Trials in Birmingham from tomorrow to June 24. For tickets, visit www.uka.org.uk/aviva-series or call 08000 556056. #backtheteam
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