University of Birmingham Sport (UBSport) Athletics and Cross Country Club continued their 2011 success by collecting an array of medals at the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) Indoor Athletics Championships over the 19-20 February.
With a total of 15 track top eight positions and 11 field event finalists, the team headed back from the EIS Sheffield with seven individual medals (three gold, two silver and three bronze), plus third place for both the men’s and women’s team. This is an improvement on fourth and fifth respectively in 2010.
Vice-President of Sport (VPS) Julian Adeniran, hot-footed it up to Sheffield, following his appearance at the Aviva Grand Prix in Birmingham on Saturday afternoon, to clinch gold in the men’s 60m hurdles. His excellent performance saw him finish in 7.85s, shaving 0.01s from his the time previous day.
High Jumper Beth Partridge (first year SPECS) had an outstanding debut to the BUCS Championships, clearing 1.78m to take first place and in the same event, Pam Hughes (first year Physiotherapy) took bronze.
Irish international Sara Treacy (fourth year Medicine) stormed ahead in the women’s 1500m, crossing the line at 4.30.05 to claim gold, a full 2.10s ahead of her closest competitor. The same race saw Lauren Stott (third year Sport and Exercise Science) take fourth, helping her to make a contribution towards team points.
The individual silvers went to Cally Read (first year Human Biology) for the women’s 800m (2.12.68) and Harry Harper (English and History) for the men’s 1500m (3.58.09).
The final two bronzes went to Simon Phelan (MPhil Sports Coaching) for the men’s High Jump, clearing the bar with 2.04m, and Nick Cruchley (third year Sport and Exercise Science) for reaching 5.10m in the Pole Vault.
Head Coach Mike Bull said: ‘A very good weekend of athletics for the club with the VPS leading the medal haul as well as getting the university onto TV with BBC covering the Birmingham Indoor Athletics Grand Prix.
‘Sara Treacy's Gold was well deserved as she is now in her fourth year at Birmingham and Bethan's Gold in the HJ, along with Bronzes for Pamela, Simon and Nick, shows the strength we have in vertical jumps. It was great to see the team spirit displayed by the athletes in Sheffield and the team placing demonstrates the progress that has been made the club and coaches.’
Mikes sentiments were echoed by UBSport Athletics and Cross Country club captain Chiedu Ufodiama. Chiedu said: ‘The team spirit was phenomenal, and there were a lot of comments about how loud the Birmingham team was, so our presence was well and truly received. It was fantastic to see so many medallists and top eight finishes, with the team still young there is no limit what the future may hold.
He continued: ‘ With some strong performances, and some disappointing ones too, the weekends experiences should hopefully highlight areas within each person’s training and competition preparation which they can use as a platform to reach greater things.’
Photographs provided by Chris Smith