Kevin Batt Makes Final In Gwangju As Marcus Lawler Impresses At The European Athletics U23 Championships

Kevin Batt (Adams State University) was the final Irish athlete in action at the World University Games today as he contested the 5,000m heats. The task for Batt was to finish in the first five positions in his heat to guarantee a place in the final. As predicted the race turned into a tactical affair with the first 1,000m reached in a pedestrian 2.57.73.

Batt stayed close to the leaders and when it came to the last lap burn up the Adams State University athlete stayed strong a finished in fifth place in a time of 14.19.11. The time and position qualified Batt automatically for the final which takes place on Sunday, 12th of July at 10.20am Irish time.

Marcus Lawler (SLOT) showed great speed in heat 3 of the men's 200m to win in 20.94 seconds on day two of the European Athletics U23 Championships in Estonia. The Carlow man ran an excellent bend and was able to shut down with 10m to go. "One race at a time," was Lawler's calm response ahead of tomorrow's semi-final. Lawler finished fourth two years ago at the European junior championships and looks to be returning to his best form.