The top 10 for 2009

HOTSHOTS runs down the top 10 in the 2009 HotShot of the Year Award, as nominated by the public and selected by an expert panel at the Mail.

WINNER - Rachael Williamson

Sport: Swimming

Age: 14

Achievements: The Wolfreton School pupil ended the 2008/09 season as the top ranked swimmer for her age at the 400m and 800m freestyle and went to the European Youth Olympics Festival in Finland where she came sixth in the 400m and took bronze in the 800m.

2) Louis Sheriff

Sport: Rugby league

Age: 16

Achievements: Was part of the Hull Isberg under-16s side that won a remarkable quadruple, including the Yorkshire League,Yorkshire Cup, League Cup and National Cup. The full-back also captained Great Britain in two victories against France and is playing regularly for Hull KR reserves, even turning out to score a try in the Floodlit Nines.

3) Leon Bailey

Sport: Darts

Age: 18

Achievements: Became the first youth player in the history of the sport to retain the British Teenage Open title when winning in Kettering earlier this year and the Bransholme ace also won numerous other regional titles this season as well as represent the North of England team and Humberside.

4) Matt Hunt

Sport: Athletics

Age: 18

Achievements: The Kingston javelin thrower made his big breakthrough in 2009, winning the British clubs title and English Schools title at under-20 to leave him sat fifth in the adult rankings in Great Britain. Went to Serbia for the European Junior Championships with team GB but just missed out on the final.

5) Scott Taylor

Sport: Rugby league

Age: 18

Achievements: Has won the man of steel and player of the year award for two years running for Hull KR's Academy side which earned him a first team contract at Rovers, making his Super League debut in the play-off defeat to Leeds at Headingley this season.

6) Abbi Carter

Sport: Athletics

Age: 15

Achievements: Once again dominated the youth scene in hammer throwing in the UK, winning the English Schools title, British clubs gold and UK School Games gold, as well as take silver medals at the last two in the discus. Went with Team GB and carried the flag at the European Youth Olympics Festival in Finland and came 10th in the hammer final.

7) Reece Robinson

Sport: Darts

Age: 17

Achievements: Despite losing to Leon Bailey in the quarter-finals of the British Teenage Open, he won a host of titles in 2009. The highlight was winning the BDO British Masters senior title to go alongside his Shropshire and Cumberland Open titles as well as the Hull under-21 title. Played at the Winmau World Youth Masters and represented the North.

8) Evie Robinson

Sport: Football

Age: 15

Achievements: The right-sided defender, who plays for the Hull College Girls Centre of Excellence, earned a place in the England under-15 squad for a tour of Germany and played in two games out there, this after the South Hunsley School pupil was called into the national training camp two years earlier when she was 13.

9) Matthew Rangeley

Sport: Mini-moto

Age: 10

Achievements: The St Andrew's Kirk Ella Primary School pupil recently became a double British Mini-Moto champion after clinching the Junior title (for under-10s) and the Production title (for nine to 16 year olds). This follows on from Matthew winning the Northern title in his first year competing in 2008.

10) Naomi Smith

Sport: Athletics

Age: 16

Achievements: The Nafferton teenager won four gold medals at the World Transplant Games in Australia in the 100m, long jump, high jump and 4x100m relay, setting new World Games records in the two jumping events. The Driffield School pupil, who had a liver transplant in 1994, also won a silver medal in badminton.