Northumbria On Track For Podium Success

Northumbria University is on track for athletics glory with a 17-strong squad heading to the 2018 BUCS outdoor championships.

Hundreds of student athletes from across the UK are set to descend on Bedford International Stadium during the Bank Holiday weekend.

And Northumbria have genuine medal chances in at least five events with invaluable BUCS points up for grabs.

“We’re taking a strong squad and there’s a real sense of positivity in the camp,” said the university’s athletics coach Nick Ridgeon.

“This is the biggest outdoor athletics event of the year for students and everyone has been working towards this weekend.

“Northumbria’s athletes work incredibly hard to get themselves in the best shape possible for the BUCS outdoors and they deserve to reap the rewards.”

Ridgeon works with Team Northumbria’s elite sportsmen and women across a full range of sports in his role as the university’s head of strength and conditioning.

However, athletics is an area of specific expertise and he has forged a reputation as a specialist in throwing.

Ridgeon will be paying particular attention to medal prospect Fraser Wright in the discus.

And all eyes will be on pole vaulter Charlie Myers with the Teessider in fine form in 2018.

Lucy Turner will be chasing a long jump and hurdles double with the former her favoured event.

And Northumbria could clinch a male and female double in the long jump if Jack Roach can hot top form in Bedfordshire.

Nakita Gray is hotly tipped to medal in the high jump and Ridgeon is hoping that his athletes will make their presence felt across the weekend.

“Jake Lindacher (110m hurdles), Lucy Turner (shot put), Aife McSheffrey (800m), Fraser Wright (shot put) and Dan Walsh (long jump and triple jump) all have the potential to make their finals,” he added.

“And once you get there then anything can happen.

“It’s looking like it’s going to be a great weekend weather-wise and I’m hoping for a great set of results.”