Sydney University Athletics Club (SUAC) representative and SUSF Elite Athlete Program (EAP) scholarship holder Lara Tamsett has earned her selection for the 2013 World Championships, after posting a sensational Australian qualifying time at the Zatopek 10km meet in Melbourne on Saturday night.
Tamsett (B. Media & Communications) finished second to the USA’s Neely Spence, but took home the Australian Championship in a time just over 33 minutes. Tamsett’s win improves on the silver medal she won in the Australian 10,000m championship two years ago, and sees her atop the podium in the event for the first time since 2008.
Most importantly for Tamsett, the result has ensured her selection for the 14th World Championships in Athletics to be held in Moscow in August 2013, which will be her debut on the track in the national colours.
SUAC had a string of other brilliant performers at the Zatopek 10km meet over the weekend, as Brad Croker continued his build up to his debut marathon in Japan early next year, finishing in 12th position in the men’s 10,000m. Teammate Neil Berry was right behind him in 13th place.
In other events on the night, EAP scholarship holder James Nipperess (B Health Science {Physiotherapy}) took out the men’s 3,000m steeplechase, recording a time of 8.50. Jack Colreavy (M. Economics) finished fifth in the same race.
Joshua Ralph (B. Arts {Psych & French}) was a clear winner in the men’s 400m, while in the women’s 1,500m national steeplechase champion Milly Clark moved down a distance and finished seventh.
In the women’s under 20 3,000m – a race that showcases the best juniors in the country at 3,000m – Eliza Barton (B. Animal & Veterinary Bioscience) finished a very respectable fifth.
Back in Sydney, SUAC travelled to Blacktown for Round 4 of the Club Premiership. Going into the round, the club had a 300 point lead in the Open Pennant Championship and after an impressive weekend extended that lead to over 500 points.
Big performances in Blacktown on the weekend came from Nicholas Hough (first in the 200m in a time of 21.41), Annie Rubie (first in the 400m hurdles in a time of 62.66) and Jacqui Fry finishing second in the same race.
Charlotte Van Veenendaal continued her impressive early form with a win in the women’s 60m (7.65) and a second in the 200m. Luke Harbone won the men’s 60m (7.16) with Joshua Tassel second.
In the women’s 800m Joanna Cubis finished second, with Rosie Weber in third place. Bronte Stutchbury was second in the long jump, Andrew Giltrap finished second in the javelin, Andrew baker second in the high jump, Nick Bellemore second in the 3,000m, Ruby Hackett third in the 3,000m and Christian Lozada third in the 400m hurdles.
This weekend the club premiership moves to Homebush for the second last round.
