28 February 2012

UKA today announced the Aviva Great Britain & Northern Ireland team that will compete at the Under 23 and Under 20 Combined Events International in Cardiff on 24 – 25 March 2012.

The 16-strong squad will pit their wits against competitors from France and Spain at the National Indoor Athletics Centre in the Welsh capital.

Ashley Bryant (coach: Ian Grant) and Katrina Johnson-Thompson (Mike Holmes) lead the way for the Under 23’s. Bryant has been a regular on the indoor circuit this season, with appearances at the Aviva Indoor UK Championships in the 60m hurdles, long jump and shot. The Windsor Slough Eton & Hounslow athlete recorded a personal best points total (2409i) in a three series event of high jump, 60m hurdles and shot at the McCain City Challenge in Sheffield earlier this month. The 20-year-old will be competing alongside Daniel Gardiner (Toni Minichiello), Ben Gregory (Emily Parker) and Sam Sleap (Bill Jewers).

Johnson-Thompson heads into the event in sparkling form. The Liverpool Harrier has set personal bests in three different events in 2012: 60m (7.70i), triple jump (12.56i) and shot put 4k (11.56i). Jess Tapin (Emily Parker), Jasmin Dotzek (Christopher Bartram) and Amy Marchant (Toni Minichiello) join Johnson-Thompson in the Under 23 women’s squad.

Meanwhile, in the Under 20’s Alexander Wort (Christopher Bartram) has accumulated a total of eight personal bests in 2012 and leads the way in terms of current form. He is joined by compatriots Daniel Gardner (Beth Harris), Mark Cryer (Ian Grant) and Andrew Murphy (Sandy Ewen).

Katy Marchant (Toni Minichiello) is another athlete enjoying 2012, and will be looking to cement her status as one of the most promising combined event talents on the scene as she competes in the Under 20s category. Morgan Lake (Eldon Lake), Hannah Dunderdale (Toni Minichiello) and Emma Buckett (Bill Jewers) complete the rest of the line-up.

AVIVA GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND TEAM

MEN UNDER 23

Ashley Bryant (Ian Grant)
Daniel Gardiner (Toni Minichiello) 
Ben Gregory (Emily Parker) 
Sam Sleap (Bill Jewers)

WOMEN UNDER 23

Katrina Johnson-Thompson (Mike Holmes)
Jess Tappin (Emily Parker)
Jasmin Dotzek (Christopher Bartram)
Amy Marchant (Toni Minichiello)

MEN UNDER 20

Alexander Wort (Christopher Bartram)
Daniel Gardner (Beth Harris)
Mark Cryer (Ian Grant)
Andrew Murphy (Sandy Ewen)

WOMEN UNDER 20

Katy Marchant (Toni Minichiello)
Morgan Lake (Eldon Lake)
Hannah Dunderdale (Toni Minichiello)
Emma Buckett (Bill Jewers)