Sydney University Athletics Club (SUAC) representative Ian Dewhurst made a massive breakthrough at Saturday night’s Perth Track Classic, as he recorded the fastest time by an Australian this year running 50.31 for the 400m hurdles and in the process running a World Uni Games qualifier and smashing the 23 year old SUAC club record.
To top things off Dewhurst beat home Australian Olympic representatives Brendan Cole and Tristan Thomas, both of whom made the semi-final at the 2012 London Olympics.
SUSF scholarship holder Anneliese Rubie (Bachelor of Liberal Arts & Sciences) continued her big year running a 400m personal best on the same night, recording a time of 52.89 – also a World Uni Games qualifier. Finishing just behind Rubie in second place – courtesy of a huge personal best time – was Lizzie Jenkins.
In the men’s 400m Josh Ralph (Bachelor of Arts {Psychology & French}) finished third, further pushing his claims for relay selection later in the year. Nick Hough (Bachelor of IT/Bachelor of Laws) ran third in the 200m in a close race won by Josh Ross. Hough also finished fifth in the 100m.
Over the last few months Hough, Rubie, Dewhurst, James Nipperess, Jarrod Geddes, and Justin Merlino have all posted 2013 World Uni Games qualifiers with Josh Ralph, Milly Clark, Jenny Blundell, Alix Kennedy and Chrissie Grun not too far away. This year’s Games will be held in Kazan, Russia from July 6-17.
In Sydney, SUAC enjoyed excellent success at the NSW Masters Championships at Sydney Olympic Park. The standout was Brett Halls, who won the 35-39 age category 800m, posting a NSW record in the process. In the same race SUAC Registrar Andrew Heil posted a personal best time to secure the bronze medal. Larissa Stanley (35-39 800m/1500m), Piyush Kumar (30-34 100m) and James Polson (30-34 800m) all won their events to top off a very successful weekend for SUAC.
This weekend’s athletic action sees SUAC athletes competing at the Brisbane Track Classic.
