Sydney University Claim Third at 2017 AUGs

In winning 6 pennants (1st place team finishes), Sydney University were just one pennant short of Melbourne and two shy of UTS in the 25th Edition of the Australian University Games held on the Gold Coast.

To underline the tightness of the contest between the top 3 placed Universities, Sydney University amassed 7 silver medals and 11 bronze, better than both UTS (4S and 3B) and Melbourne (3S and 6B), except in the all-important gold medal stakes.

On the teams front Sydney University won gold in Rowing (Men and Women), Athletics (Women), Football-Soccer (Women), Golf (Men) and Kendo (Women). Most impressive is that our Women’s Athletics team have won 7 consecutive Uni Games annual titles.

The large number of podium finishes featuring Sydney University students highlights that our large contingent of 530 athletes, comprising of 39 teams spread across 27 sports performed with distinction. The best way to appreciate the achievements of our Sydney University competitors is by scanning the highlights:

ATHLETICS

A standout performance in our Women’s team was Nicola McDermott setting a new games High Jump record in the final by clearing 1.85m, a whopping 25 centimetres higher than the runner-up. It was a brilliant one-two Sydney Uni finish in the Triple Jump with Stevie Donougher making 12.33m, closely followed by Josie Nichol with 12.00m. On the track Tavleen Singh was in everything, claiming silver in the 100m (12.23) and 200m (25.30) and helping our 4 x 100m Relay to 3rd place and the 4 x 400m Relay to 2nd place. Singh also backed up in the Women’s 1600m Sprint Medley to help Sydney Uni place 4th. Holly Campbell was sensational in taking out the 1500m Final and was also part of the 2nd placed 4 x 400m Relay.

ROWING

Sydney Uni dominated the 2017 Australian Uni Games Rowing Championships winning the Men’s and Women’s point score plus the overall point score. Our Men’s pair, coxed four and eight all took gold, placing our Men’s crews at the pinnacle of Australian University rowing. Special mention goes to Andrew Judge and Jacob Bicknell for claiming 4 golds over the week, including the Men’s pair. Will Raven created history as Cox in his fourth win in the Oxford and Cambridge Cup, a trophy awarded to the winner of the Australian University Championship Men’s Eight.

Our Women’s Eight earnt a strong silver medal beating Melbourne Uni, the first time they have accomplished this feat in a number of years. Other outstanding results included our Women’s Coxed Four and Lightweight Quad capturing gold, as well as Wallis Russell victorious in the Lightweight Women’s Single. Wallis bagged 3 golds and a silver over the week.

GOLF

Our Men’s Golf team of 7 players enjoyed a sensational 4 rounds and proved a very consistent group nailing the overall team championship ahead of Griffith University, with the bronze going to Monash. Michael Li was the star, ranked 3^rd overall and saved his best till last with a 70 in Round 4, the equal lowest score of any golfer in the tournament. Matthias Wild also deserves a special mention finishing the 8th best player overall. Congratulations to the full team: Michael Collins, Matthew Dane, Hunter Hordern, Todd Levine, Li, Lachlan Mactier and Wild.

KENDO

Our Women’s Kendo competitors were inspirational with Mengying (Elva) Shi attaining gold by outpointing Genevieve Borley of Monash Uni in the Individual Kyu Grade for Women. In the Individual Dan Grade Women, Mingrui (Mory) Zhao was equally impressive in defeating her University of WA rival in the final. Congratulations to our first placed Open team comprising of Kai Kikuchi, Takumi Ohashi, Victor Kuo, Wone (Chris) Chon, Zhao, Jeffery Chung, Macca Hou and Brinton Chand who outpointed UTS and UWA respectively to secure the gold medal.

FOOTBALL-SOCCER

Our Women’s Football team continues to stock their trophy cabinet and at the Gold Coast they delivered once again to take out the coveted gold in spectacular fashion, winning a penalty shootout 4-3 over Melbourne Uni after the scores were locked nil-all at the end of regulation time. On their march to the gold medal game our team only lost once in 9 games of intense competition played over 5 days.

At the conclusion of each Australian Uni Games an Australian universities merit team, known as the “Green and Gold” side is announced. The 41 Sydney University student-athletes selected are listed. The sport of Rowing is not included in this list.

2017 GREEN & GOLD ATHLETES

Next year, the Australian University Games will be restructured as the National University Championships, with all top 8 place-getters from 2017 set to compete in Division 1. This move aims to lift the level of competition and Sydney University supports this step forward.