POPPY Lake said she was overwhelmed to have tasted victory in the Olympic Stadium and in doing so complete back-to-back UK School Games titles.

The 16-year-old, Southend High School for Girls pupil followed up her win in Sheffield last year with another gold medal-winning performance – this time on the biggest stage she has ever competed on.

Lake said: “It feels really, really good. I’m so happy to have kept my title and to compete here was just overwhelming really.”

The Chelmsford AC teenager was the only athlete to clear 1.72m, which equalled her lifetime best and was so close to clearing 1.75m for the first time.

And she was roared on by a team of supporters that included family, friends and her coach Phil Sergeant.

“I was so nervous in the morning,” Lake said. “I was shocking. I thought I was going to be sick.

“But when I got out there and saw all my friends, family and my coach, it calmed me down and got me ready to jump."

Lake entered the competition at 1.55m and looked to be sailing through the heights until she failed her first attempt at 1.63m.

“I thought ‘oh no, here we go’,” laughed Lake. “But I got advice from my coach and went over the next time.”

She was flawless until a first attempt fail at 1.72m – but by that time she had already won after nearest rival Amelia McLaughlin, from the North West, failed at 1.69m.

“When she missed I turned to my family and friends and just pumped my chest,” said Lake. “It felt so good. I was so happy.”

The teenager then went on to clear 1.72m at her second attempt and was so close to a 1.75m clearance.

“I thought I had done it on the second attempt,” she said. “But I didn’t have the legs for the final effort. It was a long old competition and I think I was feeling it by then.

“But I was so happy to have been there and experiencing the Olympic Stadium.”