The Sydney University Athletics Club (SUAC) has made an amazing start to the NSW Club Premiership over the first three weeks of the competition, currently sitting on top of the table equal with rivals UTS Norths.
Incredibly SUAC leads the Open Age Pennant (a competition only for open age athletes) by almost 1000 points. To put this into perspective, the combined score of SUAC in this competition is nearly double that of the club’s closest rival – second placed UTS Norths.
In the Club Premiership, a competition the club virtually has no right to be competitive in (points are awarded across U14, U17, U20, Open, 35+, 50+ and combined to provide an overall club winner), SUAC athletes keep turning up and posting strong performances across all event groups. SUAC only has point scoring competitors in half of the age categories, thus severely hampering the club’s ability to score points and remain competitive.
The standout performers for the club thus far have been Sydney University Elite Athlete Program (EAP) scholarship holders, and brothers, Jordon and Derek Mulhearn, basing their contribution around strong walk performances and combining this with any other event they think they could possibly score a point in.
In the throws events Andrew Giltrap, Andrew Baker (both Sydney University EAP scholarship holders) and Ben Cranney have been dominant. The sprints has been lead by Stephen Andreazza, James Dooley and Luke Harbone (all EAP), with a plethora of the clubs distance men demonstrating their value over the past three weeks, the most impressive of which has been Jack Colreavy (EAP).
In the women’s events, the charge has been lead by veteran SUAC athlete Larissa Stanley. The former club captain has shown that she has not lost the ability to be competitive posting victories in a number of events.
Sydney University EAP scholarship holder Hannah Gibbs has recovered from an injury sustained at the Australian University Games (AUG’s) and has been a major contributor especially in the sprint events. Bronte Stutchbury, Karina Bangel, Siobhan Clayton and Joanna Cubis (all Sydney University EAP scholarship holders) and Jo Dawson have also produced very solid performances, while Alix Kennedy (EAP) has continued on as the club’s most successful throws competitor.
The Club Premiership and Open Age Pennant have six more rounds remaining.