18 from Loughborough going to Commonwealth Games

Athletes from Loughborough will travel to the Commonwealth Games next Spring.

Eighteen athletes linked to Loughborough University have been named in the England team for the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia next April.

Morgan Lake, Jessica Judd and Meghan Beesley who all represented their country at the London 2017 World Athletics Championships have all made the Commonwealth Games side.

A second year Psychology student, Morgan Lake was a highly impressive sixth in London, the high jumper just 1cm short of the 1.96cm personal best she set in July, which is the third best jump ever by a British woman.

Jessica Judd, London saw her on personal best form, a 1500m clocking of 4.03.73 saw her through to the semi-finals, where she just missed out on a final berth. Less than a month later the final year Human Biology student bagged bronze over 5,000m at the World University Games, demonstrating her impressive versatility.

For 400m hurdler Meghan Beesley the 2018 Games will hopefully mark redemption, as after having been selected for the Glasgow 2014 Games she was forced to withdraw due to a foot injury. Joining the trio down under are hammer thrower Taylor Campbell and first year heptathlete Niamh Emerson, both of whom are making the step up to senior international competition for the first time.

It isn’t just students who’ll be on the plane though as alumnae Emily Diamond and Sonia Samuels get the nod, Diamond in the 4x400m relay, the event where she won an Olympic medal in Rio and Samuels in the marathon. Former students Robbie Grabarz, Martyn Rooney and Harry Aikines-Aryeetey have also secured their spots, Grabarz hoping to add more high jump silverware to his collection in what is surprisingly his first Commonwealth Games.

A further eight Loughborough University based athletes have also made the cut, namely World 4x100m champion Danny Talbot and Rio 2016 hammer bronze medallist Sophie Hitchon. Also included are Andrew Pozzi, Ashley Bryant, Anyika Onuora, Bethan Partridge, Katie Snowden and Rosie Clarke.

Loughborough University says it is also hoping to be well represented in the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish teams when they are announced over the coming months.