ROWING: Up for the Coupe

The 17-year-old Lymm High School pupil became only the second rower from the club to be picked for Great Britain's youth squad last year, helping her country to victory in Holland.

Oakes, who will still be eligible for the youth squad in 2008, was the fifth best performer during a rigorous seven-month trial process for this year's squad despite having her season interrupted by injury and illness.

As a result the Grappenhall resident has been chosen to row in the quadruple sculls crew against 11 other European countries at the 2007 Coupe de la Jeunesse.

The event will take place in the northern Italian city of Varese between August 3 and 5.

Her coach at Warrington Rowing Club, Richard Sinnott, said: "This is a great reward for a talented athlete who has had a difficult year through injury in the early part of the season."

Oakes commenced rowing at the age of 11 as part of Warrington Rowing Club's Project Oarsome' partnership with Lymm High School.

The school's head of rowing, Mark Lavery, said: "We are all extremely impressed by, and proud of Olivia.

"The levels of perseverance and dedication she consistently shows are an inspiration to all. She truly is the perfect role model for our younger rowers.

"We would like to congratulate her and wish her well for the Coupe de la Jeunesse Regatta this summer."

Warrington finished second in the Runcorn Junior Regatta on the River Weaver on Saturday.

A total of 18 rowers represented Warrington at the regatta, which took place on a round robin basis with several races per event.

Caitlin Anderson and Sophie McQuillian were victorious in the girls' junior 12 double sculls event, with Suzannah Clark, Hannah Furnell, Kate Furnell, Claudia Wright and cox Josh Goswell triumphant in the coxed quad.

Henry Balcerak and Matt Pownall won the boys' junior 13 double sculls competition and Tom Leather finished first in the boys' junior 14 single sculls event.