Paris Athlete Tracker

Izac Carracher, a graduate in Commerce and Law from the University of Sydney, was a member of the Sydney Uni Volleyball Club and Elite Athlete Program. Beginning his athletic journey in tennis, Izac transitioned to volleyball at Sydney Grammar School. He competed in the Australian Volleyball League with the Sydney Warriors in 2016 and 2017, representing Australia at U17 and U19 levels. Studying at the University of Southern California in 2019, Izac played as an outside hitter for the USC Trojans. Returning to Australia to complete his education, he started beach volleyball. In 2021, he received the Vice Chancellor’s Award for Academic and Sporting Excellence from the University of Sydney.  In 2022, Izac, a 1.99m blocker, partnered with Mark Nicolaidis, winning gold at the Gold Coast Beach Pro Tour Futures event in their debut as a pair. Their success led them to compete internationally, including a notable ninth place at the 2022 World Championships in Rome. Izac has since travelled extensively for competitions, visiting countries such as France, Italy, Maldives, Mexico, Morocco, Qatar, South Africa, Switzerland, Turkey, the US, and the United Arab Emirates.

Noemie Fox, a Bachelor of Arts (Media and Communications) graduate and University Blue recipient, secured her spot at her first Olympics, joining her sister, Olympic gold medallist Jessica Fox, on the Australian Canoe team. Jessica, also a USYD alumna, had already qualified for the Paris Olympics, but with only one spot per country available for the C1 and K1 events, Noemie’s chance to qualify was at the Kayak Cross Global Qualification Tournament in Prague in early June, where three Olympic spots were available. Noemie claimed a silver medal and secured her spot for Paris. As well as Jess, Noemie’s Olympian parents will also be in tow in Paris, father Richard and mother Myriam who is also her coach.

Tara Rigney OLY, a Bachelor of Commerce student and Sydney University Boat Club member, shifted from netball to rowing after two ACL injuries. Joining the women’s national training center in 2021, she debuted in the Tokyo Olympics, finishing seventh in the women’s double scull. That year, she also became the National Champion in Women’s Single and Double Scull and won the Nell Slater Cup. In 2022, Tara won bronze at the World Rowing Championships and World Rowing Cup II, silver at World Cup III, and was named Sydney University Sportswoman of the Year. In 2023, she secured her second national single scull title, won silver at World Cup III, and was a finalist in the Princess Grace Cup. In 2024, Tara won her third national single scull crown and claimed silver at the World Rowing Cup II, making her a strong contender for a podium finish in Paris.

Clare Hunt of Sydney Uni Soccer Football Club had a standout year in 2023. She debuted for the Matildas in February, coming on as a substitute in a 4-0 win over the Czech Republic in the Cup of Nations. She played in two other games in that tournament and several friendlies before the World Cup. By September, she became the starting center-back for the national team and joined Paris Saint-Germain. During the World Cup, Clare was one of three players who played every minute, helping her team reach the semifinals. She was selected in the tournament’s All-Star XI. The road to the top has come with many challenges, having undergone seven surgeries in five years including an ACL, a shoulder reconstruction and a broken ankle. Clare is a Bachelor of Science Graduate and former member of the Elite Athlete Program, she is currently pursuing a Doctor of Physiotherapy in an extended master’s program and is a University Blues Recipient.

Matilda Kearns OLY is a has been a member of the Sydney University Water Polo Club since she was 18. Tilly was selected to compete in the 2016, 2017 and 2018 FINA World Junior Championships before making her senior debut for the Stingers in 2019, she went on to make her Olympic debut at the delayed Tokyo 2020 Games where the team finished 5th. Tilly studied a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Southern California while on Scholarship playing for the Trojans. Paris will be Tilly’s second Olympic Games

Jacob Mercep started playing water polo at age eight, representing Croatia through the junior ranks. After high school, he moved to the USA, making an immediate impact at San Jose State University by setting a single season record as the leading goal scorer. He earned Golden Coast Conference newcomer of the year and an Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches All-American honourable mention. Jacob then played for the University of Southern California Trojans, scoring 113 goals and earning All-America First Team honours in 2018 and 2019. After the pandemic, Jacob moved to Australia to play two seasons for the Sydney University Lions. He was called up to the Aussie Sharks and made his debut in the Tri Nations Test Match Series in Perth, winning player of the match. In 2024, Jacob made his World Championships debut and is set to make his Olympic debut in Paris.

Chris Ius is a Master of Physiotherapy graduate and member of the Sydney University Athletic Club and was a University Blues recipient in 2022. With a personal best of 10.24 seconds in the 100m, Chris is the reserve for the men’s 4x100m relay team. He has previously represented Australia at the World Universiade and World Relays and is a national silver medallist.

Sarah Clifton-Bligh is a Sydney University Athletic Club member and deemed one of Australia’s rising Para-athlete stars.  After making her Australian team debut at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, Sarah Clifton-Bligh will again wear the green and gold this year at the World Para Athletics Championships while still a teenager. In her debut in Birmingham, in the T34 100m, Sarah placed fifth in a time of 22.71 seconds. In Paris at the world championships, she will compete in the T33 100m and 800m and T32 shot. Sarah started her journey in athletics when at Primary school. Over the next decade, the versatile athlete competed in all the track events and throws. Although her debut was in the 100m, she continues to compete and win national titles in the throws and endurance events. Paris marks Sarah’s first Paralympics where she will be competing in the F32 Shot Put event.

Nicola Olyslagers OLY is a biochemistry graduate, member of the Sydney University Athletic Club, and the Female Blue of the Year in 2019. Starting athletics at seven, she excelled in multiple events. In 2018, she medalled at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, and by 2019, raised her personal best to 1.96 meters. Despite the pandemic in 2020, she set a personal best of 1.98 meters and in 2021, became the first Australian woman to clear 2.00 meters. She set the Australian record at 2.01 meters and won silver at the Tokyo Olympics with 2.02 meters. In 2022, she placed fifth at the Eugene World Championships, overcame a muscle injury to compete in Brussels, and placed third in the Diamond League final. Her 2023 season saw nine wins from ten starts and a new Australian record of 2.03 meters. In 2024, Nicola set an Australian all-comers record of 2.03 meters, won the World Indoor Championships, and earned her fifth Australian title, securing a spot for the Paris Olympics.

Tim Anderson is a Bachelor of Engineering, Bachelor of Science graduate and University Blues recipient. He is a former member of the Elite Athlete Program competing in the Canoe Slalom event. After missing out on selection for the Rio and Tokyo Olympics, Tim never gave up. He was crowned the Oceania champion after finishing as the best-placed paddler from the region with an equal fourth at the Oceania canoe slalom titles in early 2024. A week later he nailed down his place in Paris when he finished fifth in the K1 at the Australian Open. He also won the kayak cross event at the same competition.

Noah Havard is a Bachelor of Project Management with a Construction Major graduate and former member of the Elite Athlete Program. In 2022 Havard represented Australia at the ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships, World Cups, and Junior and U23 World Championships winning a bronze medal as part of the U23 Men’s K4 500. At the 2023 Canoe Sprint World Cup in Poland, he won silver in the K4 500m. Paris will be Havard’s first Olympic Games where he will compete in the Canoe Sprint.

Harriet Hudson OLY is a Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy) graduate hailing from Queensland, she moved to NSW once she finished her secondary education in search of further rowing opportunities and began her tertiary studies at The University of Sydney. After three successive appearances at the U23 World Championships, earning silver in the 2017 and 2019 regattas, Harriet alongside her crewmates ensured the participation of the women’s quadruple scull at the 2020 Olympics. Harriet made her Olympic debut in Tokyo winning bronze. Three years on, she has her eyes set on another Olympic medal as she teams up with Amanda Bateman in the Women’s Double Sculls. The pair are in good stead after winning silver in the World Rowing Cup II.

Kate Rowan, a member of the Sydney University Boat Club and University Blues recipient in 2020, is set to go to the Olympics as the Women’s Scull Reserve. Rowan’s international rowing career began in 2014 at the World Junior Rowing Championships. She later competed in the U23 World Rowing Championships in 2018. By 2021, she had transitioned to sculling and served as Australia’s sculling reserve at the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics. In 2022, she raced in the Australian women’s quad scull at World Rowing Cups II and III and finished sixth at the World Rowing Championships. For the 2023 season, Rowan was part of the Australian women’s quad that qualified for the 2024 Olympics, finishing fifth at the World Rowing Championships in Belgrade.

Clare Wheeler discovered football at age 10 and quickly showed talent. By 13, she was selected for the state youth league, and by 15, she played for the Newcastle Jets in the A-League Women. As a defensive midfielder, Clare played for Newcastle for seven years before signing with Sydney FC. She also pursued a finance career, earning a Bachelor of Commerce at Sydney University while playing for SUSFC and Sydney FC. In 2021, Clare moved to Europe, joining Danish club Fortuna Hjørring and later English Women’s Super League team Everton. She debuted for the Matildas in September 2022 against the Republic of Ireland and was in the squad for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup. Although mostly a backup during the 2023 Women’s World Cup, injuries opened opportunities for her. Clare scored her first international goal in an 8-0 win over the Philippines in October 2023 and was in the squad as the Matildas qualified for the Paris Olympics in February. Clare is a University Blues Recipient.

Sienna Green has played for Sydney University Water Polo Club for 10 years, joining as a nine-year-old, she has played in the Australian Water Polo League since the age of 14, winning the title in 2021. Sienna captained the national U18 team, before earning her first cap for the Australian Stingers in 2022. Sienna is on scholarship at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) were she plays for the Bruins while studying a Bachelor of Arts. The utility player makes her Olympic debut at just 19 years old.

Chaz Poot is a stalwart of the Sydney Uni Water Polo Club having played for the Lions since a junior. He was part of Australian Water Polo League Championship in 2018. Chaz has represented his country since 2016, firstly at the Junior World Championships before making his senior international debut in 2022 at the FINA World League Intercontinental Cup where the team won silver. Since then, he has become a staple in the Aussie Sharks setup, this will be Chaz’s first Olympic games.

Allanah Pitcher, is a Bachelor of Engineering Honours (Biomedical Engineering) and Bachelor of Science (Medical Science) student and member of the Sydney University Athletic Club, has been selected as the reserve for the Marathon race walk mixed relay at the Paris Olympics. She is a distinguished athlete, having received the University Blues award in 2023 and has represented Australia at the World Championships. She is also a silver medallist and a representative at the World Race Walking Cup and has a Personal Best time of 2:50:23.

Andrew Edmondson represents Australia and Sydney University as a Paralympian in wheelchair rugby. Andrew has been a valuable player for the Australian team since his debut in 2014. His contributions on the court, characterised by his determination and teamwork, have helped strengthen the team’s performance in various international competitions. Andrew made his Paralympic debut in 2016 at the Rio games, where the Australian Steelers became the first team in wheelchair rugby league history to win consecutive Paralympic gold medals. This will be Andrew’s third appearance at the Paralympics.

Liz Clay OLY, a Bachelor of Applied Science (Exercise Science) graduate and member of the Sydney University Athletic Club, is the third-fastest Australian in the 100m hurdles with a personal best of 12.71 seconds. An alumna of the Elite Athlete Program, she reached the semi-finals at the Tokyo Olympics and is an Oceania Champion, now preparing for her second Olympic Games in Paris. Liz began her athletics journey with Hornsby Little Athletics and, despite frequent injuries, made a breakthrough in 2019/20, running 12.94 seconds in Melbourne. She improved further in 2020/21, achieving Olympic qualifiers with times of 12.84 and 12.72 seconds. At the Tokyo Olympics, she narrowly missed the final with a personal best of 12.71 seconds. In 2022, she defended her national title but broke her foot at the World Championships, requiring surgeries and a lengthy recovery. Returning in 2023, she posted promising times and, in 2024, ran sub-13 seconds at the Queensland Championships and Sydney Track Classic, finishing second at Nationals and winning the Oceania title in June.

Cameron McEntyre, a member of the Sydney Uni Athletic Club, has shown enormous talent in javelin, making significant progress in recent years. Coached by his brother Angus, Cameron won the 2022 national title and entered the top-10 Australian all-time rankings. He has represented Australia in two world championships and the Commonwealth Games and is set for his Olympic debut in Paris. Starting athletics at age four, Cameron’s javelin journey took off at Knox Grammar School. By 16, he achieved notable throws, leading to his Australian debut at the World Youth Championships. Despite setbacks from COVID-19, he returned strong in 2020, achieving an 81.51m throw and ranking 11th in Australia. In 2022, he won the national title and set a personal best of 81.96m, ranking 9th in Australia. He continued his success in 2023 and 2024, with notable performances including a personal best of 82.01m.

Peter Boukouvalas, the Male University Blue of the Year in 2021 and a former member of the Sydney University Archery Club, discovered his passion for archery after watching the 2004 Olympic Games. However, due to his commitments to competitive swimming, he did not start archery until his final year of high school in 2016. Peter made his international debut at the 2018 Asia Cup Stage 3 in Taiwan, finishing 17th. In 2021, he won gold at the Australian Open, the following year, he made his World Cup debut, competing in Turkey and France, and finishing 65th in both. In 2023, Peter competed in three World Cup stages, achieving 65th, 17th, and 33rd places, respectively, and made his World Championships debut, finishing 33rd. He also won his first international medals, two silvers, at the 2023 Pacific Games. In 2024, Peter competed in two World Cup stages, finishing 33rd in both, and is set to make his Olympic debut in Paris with ambitions to become the world’s best in archery.

Jessica Fox, was the Female University Blue of the Year in 2012 and a former Elite Athletic Program member, born to Olympian paddler parents, she became the world’s greatest paddler before turning 25. She won gold at the Tokyo Olympics and has 22 World Championship medals, including 10 world titles and 11 individual World Cup titles. Jessica discovered her love for paddling at 11, she won multiple junior championships and made her Olympic debut at London 2012, winning silver. At Rio 2016, Jessica won bronze and continued her success, achieving the “triple double” in 2018 by winning six consecutive World Cup titles. At the Tokyo Games, she won bronze in K1 and gold in C1 Canoe Slalom. In 2023, she won her 10th individual world title, cementing her status as the greatest slalom canoeist. Paris marks Jess’ fourth games, this time she is joined by sister and USYD graduate, Noemie.

Rowena Meredith OLY, an Olympic medallist and Sydney University Boat Club member, began her international rowing career in 2015, winning silver at the U23 World Championships in the Women’s Four. She joined Rowing Australia’s National Training Centre and secured second place in the 2017 World Cup Rowing II with the senior quad sculls team. Rowena also won silver at the 2017 U23 World Championships and earned podium finishes at subsequent World Rowing Cups. At the Tokyo Olympics, she claimed bronze in the Women’s Quadruple Sculls. Rowena continued competing internationally in 2022 and 2023, overcoming challenges to secure a spot in the Paris 2024 Olympics at the 2023 World Rowing Championships in Belgrade.

In 2013, Aisyah put her career aside to pursue her rowing goals by going on a solo trip to Sydney to train and compete with the Sydney University Boat Club and Coach, Alan Bennett. In doing so, she clinched Singapore’s first individual Gold medal in Rowing at the 23rd SEA Games in Myanmar. Although facing months of injuries and downfalls thereafter, she managed to pick herself back up and reached her ultimate goal of qualifying for the Rio Olympics, making history again as Singapore’s first rower to qualify for the Games. The Paris Olympics marks Aisyah’s second games.

Jackson Kench, Bachelor of Economics and Advanced Studies student and member of the Sydney University Boat Club is heading to the Olympics as the Men’s Eight reserve. In 2022, he was named Male Blue of the Year and Sportsman of the Year by Sydney University. He won the Open Men’s Pair at the 2022 National Championships and was part of the victorious New South Wales Men’s King’s Cup Eight. Internationally, he competed in European regattas, winning Silver Medals at World Cup events in Poland and Switzerland, and a Bronze Medal at the World Rowing Championships in the Czech Republic.

William Yang, a current USYD Bachelor of Design in Architecture student and former elite athlete with the Sydney Uni Swimming Club, has qualified for his first games. He was the 2019 University Blue of the Year and won gold in the 50m butterfly at the 2019 World University Games in Naples but missed selection for Tokyo. In 2022, William won gold and silver in relays at the World Aquatics Championships in Budapest and two golds at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, also reaching the 100m freestyle final. After these achievements, he was diagnosed with a spinal tumor that left him nearly unable to walk. Following surgery and over four months of rehabilitation, he suffered a severe shoulder tear, sidelining him for another two months. Despite these setbacks, William resumed full-time training in January 2023. In March, he won the 100m freestyle final and gold in the 100m backstroke at the 2024 NSW State Championships.

Keesja Gofers OLY is a Bachelor of Design in Architecture graduate, a member of the Sydney University Water Polo Club and the 2008 Female Blue of the Year. She made her international debut in 2010 and helped Australia claim silver at the 2013 FINA World Championships. In 2016, Keesja claimed her maiden National Water Polo title with the Lions, as well as competing at her first Olympics in Rio. Keesja made her second Olympic appearance at the delayed Tokyo 2020 Games, where the Stingers reached the quarter finals. Paris will be Keesja’s third games, made extra special as she competes as a new mum.

Sienna Hearn started her water polo journey at the Sydney Northern Beaches Breakers Water Polo Club at the age of seven. She excelled as a junior and 13 years later, at the 2022 FINA World League Intercontinental Cup in Peru, Sienna made her senior national team debut for the Aussie Stingers. After strong performances in the Australian Water Polo League, she was in the Stingers squad for the 2024 World Championships where Australia finished sixth. Away from the pool, Sienna is studying Education at the University of Sydney.

Jayden Lawrence has been a member of the Sydney University Wrestling Club since his junior days. Jayden has competed at three Commonwealth Games, bringing home the bronze in his third attempt. Jayden ended the Birmingham Games with an event record of 3-1, which landed him equal third alongside Canada’s Alex Moore in the 86kg division. Jayden’s 7-0 record to start in 2024 moved him to 63rd in the world on the United World Wrestling world ranking. Jayden’s stellar run in 2024 and his victory in the Olympic Qualifiers secured his spot to compete for Australia at Paris 2024 for his first Olympic Games.

Angela Ballard is a Bachelor of Science (Honours) graduate and Elite Athlete Program alumna. Angie is a world-class competitor with vast international experience spanning six Paralympic Games She found her competitive edge in wheelchair racing in 1994, five years after she was injured in a near fatal car accident as a seven-year-old. Her parents were eager for Angie and her brother, who has spina bifida, to get involved in Para-sport, and it did not take long for those around Angie to realise they were witnessing the rise of a future Paralympic star. Angie made her Paralympic debut in front of a home crowd at the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games, and as the reigning world champion in the women’s 100m T53, she won her first Paralympic medal, a bronze, at the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games.A silver medal in the women’s 4x100m T53/54 at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games preceded Angie’s most successful Paralympic campaign to date at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, where she won a pair of silver medals in the women’s 200m T53 and women’s 400m T53, and bronze in the women’s 100m T53. At Angie’s sixth Paralympics at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, she made it to the finals in her three events – the women’s T53 100m, 400m and 800m. Paris marks a remarkable seventh OIympics for Angie.

Ryley Batt OAM represents Australia and Sydney University Paralympic wheelchair rugby player, and is one of the most celebrated athletes in the sport. Ryley began his career in wheelchair rugby at a young age and quickly rose to prominence due to his exceptional skills, strength, and leadership on the court. He has represented Australia at five Paralympic Games, helping the Australian Steelers, secure back-to-back Gold medals at London and Rio Games as well as a silver in Beijing prior to this. Off the court, he is an advocate for disability sports and has been a motivational figure for aspiring athletes around the world. Paris marks a remarkable 6^th Games for Ryley.