England team victorious at Loughborough International
Spectators were treated to glorious sunshine and equally hot track and field performances at the Paula Radcliffe Stadium for the 60th year of the Loughborough International.
A combination of exciting youngsters and seasoned performers made up a strong England line-up who took on teams from Scotland, Wales, GB Juniors, BUCS and Loughborough Students AC. Throughout the day this combination proved to be a successful one as England claimed a comprehensive victory in the overall team standings, earning 144 points.
An early highlight was Seb Rodger (Club: Shaftesbury Barnet, Coach: Stephen King) who will now have his sights focused on the European’s after clocking the qualifying standard of 49.80 during his 400m hurdles victory. Rodger was chased hard over the final few hurdles but stayed strong and composed to claim the win. “I just wanted to go out there and enjoy it. I haven’t been running as well this year, so it was nice to be out there and win. I’m happy.”
Elsewhere on the track it was double success in the 800m events. Mari Smith (Club: Birchfield Harriers, Coach: Bud Baldaro) perfectly timed her race to move through the field and win in 2:03.23 to claim her second PB in the space of a few weeks. “I think I ran half a second quicker again today. I thought as long as I didn’t completely lose contact I’d be ok.” In the Men’s race Daniel Rowden (Club: Woodford Green Essex Ladies / Imperial College, Coach: Richard Thurston) powered to victory in 1:47.01 in the Men’s. “The first lap felt pretty hard-work to be honest, but the second lap went well.” Commenting on the weather Rowden added; “I love it when it’s hot. The muscles feel looser and it’s easier to get going”.
Daryll Neita (Club: Shaftesbury Barnet / Oaklands College, Coach: Jonah Dodoo) clocked a 11.53 to secure the win in the Women’s 100m race, a time well inside the British Qualifying standard. “I’ve got a few races coming up now in the next few weeks and then I’ll be getting ready for the trials. Its really nice to run in front of a nice crowd, everyone came out to support today and I love competing in big stadiums.”
In the Men’s race England’s Andy Robertson (Club: Sale Harriers Manchester) stormed into an early lead at the 40-metre point but was unable to maintain his position during the latter stages finishing fifth in a race that was won by Deji Tobais (Club: Windsor Slough Eton & Hounslow; Coach: Simon Duberley) in 10.45 seconds.
As is usual in this fixture the field events proved particularly fruitful for England throughout the day. Julian Reid (Club: Sale Harriers Manchester, Coach: Aston Moore) stamped his authority on the Men’s Triple Jump competition with his opening jump of 15.94 proving unbeatable. In the Women’s event Alex Russell (Club: Wigan & District/Liverpool John Moores Uni; Coach: John Crotty) took second place with her second-round leap of 12.59m.
It was a very tight affair in the Men’s Long Jump as Dan Bramble (Club: Shaftesbury Barnet, Coach: Frank Attoh) took victory by the slightest of margins. Bramble’s opener of 7.63 proved to be the winning leap, but a fourth-round attempt just 1cm short of that target from Loughborough student Reynold Banigo (Club: Sale Harriers Manchester/Loughborough Students; Coach: Lukasz Zawila) ensured for a nail-biting finish.
In the Men’s Pole Vault Luke Cutts (Club: Sheffield & Dearne, Coach: Trevor Fox) secured top points for England after jumping 5.10 and then improving to 5.30, both at the first time of asking. The Women’s event saw more points come England’s away courtesy of Jade Ive (Club: Sutton & District, Coach: Brian Hooper) clearing 4m for second place behind GB Junior Molly Caudery (Club: Cornwall AC/Truro College/Thames Valle; Coach: Stuart Caudery) who fresh back from the Gold Coast cleared 4.10 with her first attempt of the day, before going onto clear 4.35.
Emily Borthwick (Club: Wigan & District, Coach: Fuzz Caan) took victory in the Women’s High Jump after clearing 1.79 on the third attempt. Pippa Wingate (Club: Kingston & Poly/St. Mary's Uni/Thames Valley, Coach: Gareth Cook) was the winner in the Women’s Hammer, achieving a 61.88m distance with her final throw.
Standout throws performances included Youcef Zatat (Club: Woodford Green Essex Ladies/East London Uni, Coach: Scott Rider) who threw the four leading distances in the Men’s Shot Put, the furthest of which came in the sixth round with his throw 17.54. While in the Men’s Javelin event Joe Dunderdale (Club: Sheffield & Dearne / Sheffield Hallam Uni) threw a season’s best 73.93m to take victory.
In the Women’s discus Phoebe Dowson (Club: Bournemouth, Coach: Mark Chapman) saved her best until last with her final throw of 52.39 moving her up into second position, behind Scotland’s Kirsty Law (Club: Sale Harriers Manchester; Coach: Zane Duquemin).
Final Team Points Table
- England: 144 points
- Loughborough Students: 102 points
- Great Britain Juniors: 98 points
- Scotland: 96 points
- British Universities: 92 points
- Wales: 88 points