Information on Loughborough

Dobriskey heads Loughborough team for LIA

Posted on 28/12/2008

Loughborough University Website

Dobriskey heads Loughborough team for LIA

Commonwealth 1500m champion Lisa Dobriskey heads a strong Loughborough team making final preparations for the University’s annual international athletics (LIA) meet this Sunday (May 18).

Dobriskey is joined by a host of Loughborough’s high achievers, including World Junior 100m Champion Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, 400m European Indoor Champion David Gillick, 2007 National Indoor 1500m Champion Chris Warburton, World Indoor silver medallist Jeanette Kwakye and many of Britain’s top ranked throwers.

The University’s past and present contingent will go head to head with teams from Scotland, England and Wales as well as a Great Britain Under-20 side and a British Universities squad in what has become the traditional curtain raiser to the outdoor season.

Loughborough have beaten the England team only three times in the previous 49 years but hope to reverse their fortunes in the 50th anniversary year to claim overall victory or wins in the men’s and women’s sections.

“Loughborough’s team this year could go close to pulling off a shock victory in at least one of the men’s, women’s or overall sections,” said Loughborough director of athletics George Gandy. “To have won the event three times before is a huge achievement for a University team, we always put up a good fight.

“And with the Olympics and World Junior Championships taking place this summer we can expect some fantastic clashes in a big range of individual and relay events.”

Confirmed Loughborough athletes are as follows:

MEN 100m Harry AIKENES-ARYEETEY (100m Champion, World Junior Championships) 200m Seyi SMITH (Canadian international, BUSA Champion) 400m Martyn ROONEY (Double bronze, 2006 World Junior Championships) 800m Kieran FLANNERY (BUSA Champion) 1500m Chris WARBURTON (2007 National Indoor 1500m Champion) 5000m Tom HUMPHRIES 3000m S’hase James BAILEY 110m Hurdles Will SHARMAN High Jump  Robbie GRABARZ (2006 AAA U20 Champion) Long Jump Steve SMALL (BUSA Champion) Triple Jump Farel MEPANDY (French International) Pole Vault Paul WALKER Shot Mark EDWARDS Discus Emeka UDECHUKU (British number one) Hammer Alex SMITH (European Junior medallist)

WOMEN 100m Emma BAILEY 200m Jeanette KWAKYE (World Indoor 60m silver) 400m Vicky BARR (World Championships 2007 relay squad member) 800m  Charlotte BEST (World University Games 800m bronze) 1500m Lisa DOBRISKEY (1500m Champion, Commonwealth Games) 5000m Alexa JOEL 3000m S’chase Sonia THOMAS 100m Hurdles Sarah McGREAVY (2007 European Indoor finalist, 60m hurdles) 400m Hurdles Michelle CAREY (Irish Champion) High Jump Stephanie PYWELL Long Jump Melissa CARR Triple Jump Melissa CARR Pole Vault Zoe BROWN Shot Rebecca PEAKE Discus Claire Williams Javelin Rosie SEMENTYSH (BUSA Champion) Hammer Carys PARRY (British number one)

Tickets for the LIA cost just £5 per person (£3 concessions) and are available on the day or in advance from selected University sports facilities and the Students Union Shop. Gates open at 10.30am with the first event at 11am.