Judd and Lake book their place in Team GB for World championships in London

CURRENT Loughborough University students Jessica Judd and Morgan Lake have booked their spots on the Great Britain team for the London 2017 World Athletics Championships.

Leading the way was Morgan Lake, who broke her high jump personal best to take the British title at the team trials. Clearing a world class 1.96m, the third highest ever by a British woman, the double World Junior champion won performance of the day and will now head to London 2017 looking to mix it with the best in the world.

Lake said: “It feels amazing. I am over the moon. After I jumped 1.96m I was so shocked, it was tough to focus on 1.99m. My first two jumps at 1.99m felt good but then I just ran out and felt exhausted.”

For Jess Judd, it was a return to her very best that secured her London 2017 berth. She has been in fine form over a range of distances so far in 2017, but it was over 1500m where she excelled at the trials.

Taking the race by the scruff of the neck, herself and Olympic finalist Laura Weightman moved clear of the rest of the field, with Judd’s runner-up finish ensuring she’ll head to her first World Championships in London. Breaking down in tears post-race, it was clear what this meant to her.

The duo join Rio 2016 4x400m bronze medallist Emily Diamond who ensured she’ll be in action in the London Olympic Stadium in August, as she finished second in the women’s 400m, while in the field, former Loughborough student Robbie Grabarz and Loughborough based Sophie Hitchon took victories in the high jump and hammer respectively to earn their spots on the team.

The final automatic qualifier, thanks to possessing the required qualifying time and finishing in the top two at Team Trials was Danny Talbot, the 200m specialist lowering his personal best to 20.20 in the process.

The Loughborough based sprinter ultimately had to settle for second, but was naturally pleased with the best run of his career to date.