Olympian Scott Lincoln heads a strong throws line-up for the opening round of matches of the 2022 National Athletics League.
Team declarations are subject to change and were incomplete at the time of writing, but the throws events will undoubtedly be a highlight in the Premiership at Manchester, which will be the first to be live-streamed by Vinco.
Lincoln, who will be in the colours of Shaftesbury Barnet, will be making his season’s debut following his 16th at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Belgrade in March.
Shaftesbury are also putting out both two of their three discus throwers who have been over 60m this year, Nick Percy and Greg Thompson.
Meanwhile, Jessica Mayho, UK’s No.1 woman in the hammer last year, will be out for Birchfield. In the men’s event, the Midlands club will have 73m man Craig Murch making his season’s debut.
Going in the javelin will be Joe Dunderdale (Sheff), who was UK No.3 last year and is close to his PB already this season at over 75m.
Sam Reardon, who competed with the GB 4x400m team that placed sixth at the recent World Indoors, is declared for the 400m, where he could face sub-46-second runner Kevin Metzger (Traff).
In the two strings of the 400m hurdles are twice Commonwealth finalist Richard Yates (Trafford), former European junior bronze medallist Jacob Paul (WSEH) and Tyri Donovan (WSEH), who was UK No.5 last year and quicker than both. England champion Hayley McLean (SB) is due to start the women’s event.
Commonwealth 200m bronze medallist Leon Reid (Bir) is entered for both sprints in Manchester tomorrow. He’ll face GB Olympic 4x400m relay representative Lee Thompson (Sheff&D) in the longer event.
At the other Premiership match in Cardiff, World Indoors heptathlon fourth-placer Holly Mills is entered for Harrow in the 100m hurdles, high jump, shot and javelin.
Thames Valley Harriers’ Amelia Strickler, who had her best throw of last season in the NAL, is making her first domestic appearance of the summer following her appearance at the World Indoors.
Nicole Kendall, who set two league records last year for champions TVH, goes in the 400m hurdles against fellow 2021 British Championships finalist Caryl Granville (Swansea).
In the shot, last year’s UK No.2 Youcef Zatat will be in the Woodford Green with Essex Ladies vest as he faces Swansea’s two 17m putters, Patrick Swan and Dan Cork. Also looking for top points for Woodford Green will be 2016 discus Olympian and Commonwealth bronze medallist Mark Dry.
European under-23 pole vault silver medallist Molly Caudery will be in action for TVH after her 4.20m season-opener last weekend. GB European Indoors high jump representative Joel Khan is another field-eventer boosting the London club’s hopes.
Yemi Mary John, who raced for GB in relay at the World Indoors, is down for Woodford Green with Essex Ladies in the 100m and 200m.
At the Championship match at Kingston upon Thames, England under-17 200m champion Success Eduan goes for Sale. Starring for Tonbridge will be England decathlon gold and silver medallists Lewis Church and Harry Kendall. Meanwhile, Reading will have 66m hammer thrower Charlotte Payne.
At Chelmsford, Peterborough & Nene Valley will have Tokyo shot put Paralympian Lydia Church. 71m hammer thrower Osian Jones is set to appear for Liverpool Harriers.
Meanwhile, in the National 1 at Milton Keynes, six clubs will begin their campaign to gain promotion to the Championship next season: Belgrave Harriers, City of Portsmouth AC, Marshall Milton Keynes, Southend AC, Yate & District AC, Yeovil Olympiads.
Startlists/live results link (from Open Track).
