In a tremendous effort, The University of Sydney ended their 2019 Div 1 Nationals campaign on top of the table after claiming a whopping seven pennants across the event.
Entering the week on four pennants – made up by athletics men and women’s, League of Legends and cross-country skiing – Sydney Uni added another seven to the collection through women’s hockey, ultimate frisbee, women’s football, men’s beach volleyball, women’s rowing and kendo men’s and women’s.
The kendo men’s and women’s team kicked the week into a perfect start and gave Sydney Uni the overall lead, which they were able to maintain throughout the event, as kendo won five of the six categories.
Remarkably, women’s football claimed their ninth straight title, winning 2-0 over rivals UTS in the final.
Ultimate frisbee were able to shake off their narrow loss in the men’s final last year to rebound and claim the pennant in the mixed event in 2019, completely dominating the event from start top finish.
That effort was replicated by the women’s hockey team who triumphed in a grand final rematch against 2018 champions QUT, dramatically winning in the dying stages with a crucial goal.
In rowing, Sydney Uni finished first in the Mixed Eight, Women’s Lightweight Quad Scull and Women’s Lightweight Single Scull, claiming the overall women’s title.
After losing in the pool stages to University of Western Australia, Sydney Uni got the better of their opposition in the gold medal match in men’s volleyball to claim the top gong in a narrow 2-1 win.
Special mentions must also go out to our silver medallists in women’s netball, men’s water polo and women’s badminton who all fought with resilience throughout the week.
Men’s baseball claimed Sydney Uni’s only bronze medal, bowing out in a surprising semi-final loss to University of Newcastle.
Overall, Sydney Uni claimed seven gold, three silver and one bronze medal.
Most importantly, they have their noses in front with three pennants across two events up for grabs in marathon and T20 cricket which will take place in the coming months.
The University of Queensland pose the biggest threat, sniffing around in second place on 10 pennants.
Represented by one the largest groups in the competition, Sydney Uni sent 387 athletes and over 10 staff members, totalling 39 teams (male, female and mixed).
See our full campaign breakdown here.
