The Sydney University Athletics Club (SUAC) will send its largest ever team to the Australian Track & Field Championships held this weekend at the Sydney Olympic Park Athletics Centre (SOPAC) at Homebush.
An astounding 43 athletes will compete at the national level for the club this year, more than doubling previous team sizes.
The charge will be led by none other than Anneliese Rubie (Bachelor of Liberal Arts & Science), who is the favourite to win the 400m and is the fastest Australian entered in the 200m. Rubie will also be chasing a World Championships qualifier in the 400m.
Rising star Nick Hough (Bachelor of Info Technology / Bachelor of Laws) will contest the 100m and 200m, where he is amongst the favourites for both events especially the 200m.
In the 110m hurdles, the three times national hurdles champion Justin Merlino is in red hot form and possesses a real opportunity to win his fourth national title.
The men’s and women’s steeplechase will see James Nipperess (Bachelor of Health Science {Physiotherapy}) go up against Olympian Yousef Abdi for the national title, and Milly Clark (Bachelor of Health Sciences) taking on another Olympic representative Genevieve Lacaze in the women’s event.
Ian Dewhurst will continue his remarkable season and will attempt to knock off Olympic semi-finalist Tristan Thomas in the 400m hurdles.
Last but certainly not least, SUAC’s most decorated Paralympian Angella Ballard will attempt to defend her multiple national titles in a number of wheelchair races over the weekend.
The Australian Championships begins on Thursday and finishes Sunday afternoon at Homebush.
