Avil is targeting a medal at the 2012 Olympics

Triathlete Hollie Avil has been named Northamptonshire's top sporting personality of 2009.

The 19-year-old from Bugbrooke, near Northampton, featured on a shortlist along with gymnast Daniel Keatings and rugby player Bruce Reihana.

"These awards remind you how many great athletes there are in this county," Avil told BBC Radio Northampton.

"It was great to be up there with the other two and fantastic to win it. I'm over the moon."

She added: "I'm always proud to represent Northampton wherever I go."

Avil was crowned World Under-23 champion in Australia two months ago and now has her sights firmly set on the Olympic Games in 2012.

"The Olympics will be here quicker than you think. My goal is to prepare myself to try and win a medal," she said.

"It's really the thought of 2012 that gets you out of bed at 5.30am when you have to go swimming."

Avil suffered a major disappointment at the Beijing Games in 2008 when illness forced her to pull out of the triathlon competition.

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