Loughborough athletes shine at Under 20/Under 23 National Championships

Abi Pawlett won gold in the 100m hurdles to book her place at July’s European U23 Championships in Finland. Image provided by BUCS.

Abi Pawlett won gold in the 100m hurdles to book her place at July’s European U23 Championships in Finland. Image provided by BUCS.

Loughborough students enjoyed a hugely successful Under 20/Under 23 National Championships as six athletes secured automatic spots on the upcoming GB&NI European teams.

In the Under 20 category, Emily Newnham produced a storming showing in the 400m hurdles to take gold. The personal best performance secured her automatic selection for the European Junior Championships in Jerusalem in August.

Dave Race also booked his place at the European Juniors after winning gold in the 800m with a sterling victory.

Elsewhere, Loughborough also boasted triple bronze medallists as Owen Merrett (Hammer), Eva Durand (Javelin), and Sean Anyaogu (100m) all made the podium.

In the Under 23s, there was automatic selection for another four Loughborough students for July’s European U23 Championships in Finland.

Archie Yeo recorded a brilliant result in the Triple Jump to take gold against a completive field and book his place on the team. Abi Pawlett also looked in excellent form to take gold in the 100m hurdles to ensure she made the team too.

They were joined by Alex Millard and Matt Stonier who both excelled in the 1500m. 

Loughborough athletes impressed in both age groups, racking up a huge haul of 29 medals across a number of disciplines:

Gold: Tom Wilcock (110m hurdles), Steph Driscoll (800m), Ben East (Javelin), Lily Hulland (Triple Jump), Taia Tunstall (Discus), Mark Mellor (Pole Vault)

Silver: Bailey Swift (200m), Sophie Ashurst (Pole Vault), Zoe Price (Hammer), Kelechi Aguocha (High Jump), Georgie Forde-Wells (Triple Jump), Joshua Douglas (Discus), Natasha Harrison (400m), Molly Palmer (Long Jump), George Hyde (Shot Put), Alex Millard (1500m)

Bronze: Dillon Claydon (Discus), Pyers Lockwood (400m Hurdles), Mel Coxon (400m Hurdles), Zac Davies (Shot Put), Erin Waters (Javelin), Beth Morley (1500m)