GREAT Britain junior international Will Battershill will miss out on the chance to add one more Devon Schools’ Cross Country title to his collection this weekend.

The Ivybridge Community College sixth former has won four consecutive county schools’ title at junior, intermediate and senior age group.

But the Erme Valley Harrier, who competed in the steeplechase at the IAAF World Youth Championships in Colombia in the summer, cannot make this weekend’s championships at Stover School as he has a university selection weekend.

That does mean the senior boys’ title will be up for grabs. Exeter College’s Jake Smith, who has impressed in the Westward Cross Country League and finished second to Battershill last year, will have his eyes on it. However, Tavistock’s track specialist Josh Blake and Colyton’s Patrick Livingstone might have other ideas.

Plymouth College’s Poppy Tank will be looking to retain the senior girls’ title at Stover, the same venue where she won last year.

Tank, who competes for City of Plymouth, went on to finish fourth at the English Schools’ Championships in Blackburn. She has been enjoying an impressive season again this year.

Another Plymouth College pupil, Elena Sidman, will be eyeing success in the junior girls’ category at Stover, although she will face tough competition from Torquay Girls’ Grammar School’s Molly Canham, the current champion, and Colyton’s Caitlin Smith.

Oliver Smart, also of Plymouth College, should provide a challenge in the junior boys’ category.

Ivybridge pair Harry Stone and Olly Woodmason are two to look out for in the minor boys’ race.

Racing at Stover starts at 11.30am and should finish at 2.30pm.

Athletes will be competing for places in the Devon team for the South West Schools’ and English Schools’ Championships.

This year’s English Schools’ Championships, which are for athletes from Year 8 up, take place at Wollaton Park in Nottingham on March 5.