GB Junior debuts and club records at Loughborough International

Thames Valley Harriers had the most athletes from any one club representing the British Universities select team at the Loughborough International on Sunday 22nd May with five athletes; Chris McAlister, Clieo Stephenson, Danielle Opara, Montana Jackson and Pippa Rogan.

They all earned the chance to compete against select teams from England, Scotland, Wales and GB Juniors through their medal-winning performances at BUCS earlier this month.

Pippa Rogan (pictured) added a further 3cm to her own high jump club record with a fantastic jump of 1.80m for 5th place.

Montana Jackson has continued her fine start to the season also with a new life time best jump of 12.56 to finish 6th in the triple jump.

Chris McAlister who has been going quicker and quicker with every race this year did well to come home in 5th with 51.97 in windy conditions.

Clieo Stephenson and Danielle Opara warmed up well for their upcoming European Champions Club Cup this weekend in Portugal with two more fine performances in their respective events. Clieo was 6th in the 100m with a fine run that equaled her personal best time set at BUCS this year, 11.79. Danielle also had another very strong competition to place 4th with a season’s best 14.31m in the shot put and move her up to 6th in the UK rankings.

Jude Bright-Davies competing in the GB vest for the first time as part of the GB junior team did very well to finish 5th with a fine hop, step and jump of 14.55m.

Also making her GB junior debut was Brittany Robinson. Brittany finished 2nd in the 100m senior women’s C race with 12.09 and then was part of the 4 x 100m GB junior relay squad team that narrowly beat England’s senior team to 1st place. Clieo Stephenson ran a very strong leg for the England team that finished 2nd in 45.25 to the GB junior team 45.03.

Other TVH sprinters showing fine form in Loughborough were: Nigel Thomas in the 100m race finishing 3rd in a season’s best of 10.63, Leroy Cain 6th in the C race with 10.75, Edmond Amaning 6th in the 200m B race with 21.57 and Luke Lennon-Ford in 7th in 400m B race in a time of 48.69.