TWO Southampton AC athletes are celebrating England selection for the Commonwealth Youth Games in Samoa later this year.

Throws ace Sophie Merritt and sprinter Oli Bromby will be among a 21-strong track and field squad heading for the South Pacific in September (5-11).

Merritt, a 17-year-old Peter Symonds College student from Newbridge, near Cadnam, will compete in both the shot and discus. She is coached in Southampton by Dave Callaway.

Meanwhile Shirley speed machine Bromby, also 17 and coached by Sara MacDonald-Gray, is revving up for the 100 metres.

Bromby, who goes to Richard Taunton Sixth Form College, ran a rapid 10.42 seconds at Loughborough in May which currently ranks him seventh in the world at youth level.

Scott Grace, team leader of the Samoa-bound squad: said: “We have worked with Commonwealth Games England to select the best possible team for Samoa. I would like to congratulate each athlete who has been selected and who will now be working with their coaches to achieve strong results in the Games.”

Both Merritt and Bromby will find out next week if they have also gained Great Britain selection for the IAAF World Youth Championships in Cali, Colombia next month (July 15-19).