SUSF Elite Athlete Program (EAP) scholarship holder Nicholas Hough capped off a memorable last 12 months, after claiming The University of Sydney Academic Excellence at the 2013 NSWIS Awards held at the Australian Turf Club on Thursday night.
Studying a Bachelor of Technology/Bachelor of Law, Hough was placed on the 2012 Undergraduate High Honour Roll – reserved for students who achieve an average mark of a high distinction – before earning a high distinction average for the subjects he studied in 2013.
Athletically, Hough – a Sydney University Athletics Club (SUAC) representative – managed to win one gold, three silver and one bronze medal on the track and field circuit, including silver at the 2013 Melbourne Track Classic. Hough was also part of the Australian Track & Field Team at the 2013 World Championships in Russia.
Hough held off an impressive list of finalists to take out the The University of Sydney Academic Excellence award, including fellow SUSF EAP scholarship holders Angela Ballard (Wheelchair Track & Road), James Nipperess (Track & Field), Nina Khoury (Hockey – Women) and Lavinia Chrystal (Winter Sports).
In the Sydney City Toyota Female Athlete of the Year category, wheelchair track and road competitor Angela Ballard was edged out of winning the award by canoe slalom athlete Jessica Fox.
Ballard, a University of Sydney Psychology Honours student, had a sensational year on the track. She added to her already impressive resume with several world championship medals, including silver in three events at the 2013 IPC Athletics World Championships – the women’s T53 100m, 200m and 800m – while also notching bronze in the women’s T53 400m.
SUSF Executive Director Robert Smithies was full of praise for the all of Sydney Uni athletes nominated, all of whom are current SUSF EAP scholarship holders.
“It was great to see Nicholas Hough take out The University of Sydney Academic Excellence award this evening, but I would like to congratulate all of the University of Sydney athletes who were nominated as finalists for an NSWIS award,” said Smithies.
“There are some amazing athletes on the NSWIS program and I’m very proud to see so many of our SUSF EAP scholarship holders here tonight.”
The New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) is a leading high performance sport institute that provides world class coaching, services, and flexible innovative training environments for athletes, along with a focus on athlete welfare, career and educational assistance.
The SUSF Elite Athlete Program provides excellent support and services to elite athletes to assist them in their concurrent pursuit of academic and sporting goals, and encourages them to achieve outstanding academic results to facilitate an alternative vocation after their sporting career has finished.
Full list of awards winners:
The Australian College of Physical Education Academic Excellence (General): Jessica Fox (Canoe Slalom)
The University of Sydney Academic Excellence: Nicholas Hough (Track & Field)
Career Development: Matthew Levy (AWD Swimming)
Ian Thorpe OAM Outstanding Achievement: Sami Kennedy-Sim (Winter Sports)
Out & About Marketing and Media Junior Athlete of the Year: Jack Edwards (Cycling)
Mizuno Most Memorable Moment: Erik Horrie (Rowing)
Office of Communities, Sport and Recreation Regional Athlete of the Year: Maddison Elliott (AWD Swimming)
Samsung Electronics Australia Team Athlete of the Year: Jessie Allen & Genevieve Horton (Rowing)
Sydney Olympic Park Authority Program of the Year: Canoe Slalom
The Australian College of Physical Education Coach of the Year: Brant Best (Swimming) & Louise Sauvage (Wheelchair Track & Road)
Sydney City Toyota Female Athlete of the Year: Jessica Fox (Canoe Slalom)
ClubsNSW Male Athlete of the Year: James Magnussen (Swimming)
