15 May 2009

The McCain Loughborough International this weekend is promising to be an exciting major season opener for those competing and watching, as an impressive field of competitors is assembled for the popular match event.

As well as marking the opening fixture of the McCain UK Challenge series, the International will see teams from England, Scotland, Wales, British Universities, Loughborough Students and the Aviva Great Britain and Northern Ireland Junior team battling for match points.

For the Junior GB and NI representatives, the fixture marks a significant step towards the European Junior Championships in Novi Sad, Serbia in July, and the mainly senior competition they will face will prove a tough challenge.

Sprints

Olympic 200m finalist Christian Malcolm will attempt a sprint double for Wales this weekend, but will face Scotland’s Nick Smith over 100m and England’s Leon Baptiste over 200m, whilst in the 400m GB Junior  Jordan McGrath makes his 400m debut for 2009 against the tough opposition of Richard Buck (England). Ashlee Nelson goes for the GB juniors over 200m, with Brunel’s Lucy Sargent lining up for the BUCs team. Vicky Griffith will step down in distance to compete over 400m for England, and is likely to face opposition from Gemma Nicol for Scotland.

Endurance

The 3000m SC features Tina Brown for England, whilst the men are represented by World Cross County representatives Frank Tickner competing for England and James Wilkinson for the Juniors. England will look to dominate the middle distances with Richard Hill and Tara Bird running 800m and James Brewer set for 1500m, however Olympic finalist Lisa Dobriskey will run the 1500m for Loughborough Students.

Jumps

Jayne Nisbet will aim high for Scotland in the high jump against England’s Vicki Hubbard and Katarina Thompson for GB Juniors, whilst England will also be well supported with Nadia Williams in the triple jump and Phyllis Agbo lining up for Long jump. Luke Cutts goes for England in the Pole vault, whilst Wales will be hoping for top points in the men’s high jump from Rob Mitchell as Bedford’s Scott Johnson will hope to impress for the GB Juniors.

Throws

Four of the top five Power of 10 ranked javelin throwers will be lining up with BUCs naming Chris Hughff in the javelin, James Campbell for Scotland, England name top-ranked Mervyn Luckwell and GB Juniors have selected fifth-ranked Dan Pembroke. Other key names to look out for are top ranked Matt Lambley in the Hammer for BUCS against Mark Dry for Scotland and Peter Smith for the Juniors.  Lianne Clarke will go for Wales in the javelin against Louise Watton who is close behind her on the Power of 10 rankings, and Laura Douglas (Wales), Zoe Derham (England) and Sophie Hitchon (GB Juniors) will ensure the women’s hammer is also keenly contested.

A match report will be available on www.uka.org.uk