Uni teams rise to the challenge

Sport

The University of Adelaide's sportsmen and women have been making names for themselves around Australia.

In Canberra, the Adelaide University Boat Club had a historic win while competing in the Australian University Rowing Championships.

The men's eights crew won the prestigious Oxford and Cambridge Cup for the first time since 1979, with victory over the University of Sydney on Canberra's Lake Burley Griffin.

The crew, coached by Adelaide University Boat Club President Mike Jeffries - and consisting of Tom Sullivan, Pat Maddern, Jeff Duncan, Tom Shelton, Ned Kinnear, Owen Giradi, James McRae, Nick Andrew and Lucy Hyde (coxswain) - defeated Sydney University by one-and-a-half boat lengths at the annual Australian Universities Regatta.

"The Cup is a solid silver trophy, which stands nearly a metre tall and is of immense value, having been donated by Australians who raced for Oxford and Cambridge universities," said the President of the Adelaide University Sports Association, Mr Andres Munoz-Lamilla.

"Sydney Uni has won the trophy for the past several years, and with six international representatives in its boat, Sydney had again started favourites.

"The win could not have been more timely, as we write a new chapter in the promotion of sporting excellence and improved recreational facilities at our University. All congratulations to the entire rowing crew for doing Adelaide proud. Long live the Blacks!"

Earlier, 150 University of Adelaide students made the journey to Queensland to compete in the 2009 Australian University Games, with Adelaide students represented in 14 sports.

"The team was inspirational both on and off the field," said Sports Development Officer Caitlin Stanley, who travelled with the team to the Gold Coast.

"Dressed in black and white, the team roared with excitement at the Opening Ceremony at Sea World, where team captains Melissa Perry and Bilal Farooqi marched for Adelaide University."

The first day of competition saw Adelaide with 11 wins.

"As the week progressed, the competition became fiercer and saw some of the athletes with concussions, sprained ankles and stitches in the chin!" Ms Stanley said.

"This didn't stop our teams from fighting hard come finals, where Adelaide claimed four medals, including gold to Alex Burgun in the Men's Épée competition (Fencing), silver to the Ultimate Frisbee and Women's Indoor Volleyball teams and bronze to the Mixed Netball team.

"Special mention must also go to our athletes who were nominated for green and gold, including: Alex Burgun (Fencing), Sam Hilditch, Ruben Wyld and Fiona Paton (Hockey), Megan Cain (Mixed Netball) and Hannah Berman and Amy Allen (Women's Indoor Volleyball)."

Meanwhile, the Adelaide University Baseball Club's A-grade side, the Varsity Blues, has continued its phenomenal success by again taking out the Division 1 trophy in the winter competition.

Varsity came from behind to win 13-10 in the grand final over the Golden Grove Inters.

This is the team's sixth Division 1 winter premiership in a row, capping off a highly successful 2009 season.

"After dropping a game in round three, Varsity went on to win 15 straight over the rest of the season including the premiership decider," said shortstop Chris McGowan.

"The Blues' hitters amassed 26 home runs for the season in a sustained display of power hitting and young star Patrick Inglis set a new club record with 33 hits."

In a team of award-winners and a season of highlights, the clear choice for the Most Valuable Player award was Mark Stephens, who smashed the club's season record for home runs, made major contributions in the field and was the winning pitcher in the grand final.