Oxford University Athletic Club News

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1 Oxford University Athletic Club News Dear friends and alumni of OUAC, Despite the Freshers Varsity Match providing a 1-1 draw (see match report below), Michaelmas has given me every reason to be confident that we can repeat last year s Varsity success at FEAR and outdoors. We have retained the vast majority of our squad, whilst gaining some phenomenally good athletes - the standout being GB Junior, Jude Bright Davies. With the talent we have, we have also earmarked BUCS indoors as a chance to show the rest of the country what good health Oxford athletics is in and are targeting a serious medal-haul. Watch this space over the next few months! With best wishes, Miles Weatherseed President

2 Match Report: Freshers Varsity Match (5 November) The 8am coach proved too early for this reporter, but through the careful collation of eye witness accounts, meteorological data and electronic timings, OUAC is able to bring you the most realistic account of the events of November 5th ever seen. On the scale of Blue Planet II, but with more legs, welcome, to Walking with Athletes. The 20-tonne coach screeched to a halt in the parking lot of Wilberforce Road track, Cambridge. The lesser-spotted Cambridge shrew, a timid beast native to the wetlands of East Anglia, looked on from afar. Forty-two elite Oxford stallions disembarked to be greeted by a brisk 12mph North-Westerly wind, common to Cambridge. The sprinters were happy. Robbie Brown, with four-and-a-half thousand metres to run, half of that into the aforementioned wind, did not share in their delight, Stupid tabland. The men s and women s teams were both here with a clear objective: to continue the legacy of Oxford University s Club of the Year performance in , and keep the undefeated streak going through 2017/18. However, things were not to be so easy. Julian Manieson hammered home the men s 100m Oxford looking strong. The same success was not enjoyed in the women s 100m work still to be done. Better news in the 200m with Sophie Haldane putting in an impressive win to send 5 points Oxford s way.

3 Robbie Brown, having cheered up following a comprehensive win in the 3000m, was back to his usual dour self, anticipating the 1500m. It proved too much for him, but Eleanor Bolton pounded round the peculiar 3 3/4 laps, taking a needed track victory for the women. Oxford then went on to secure a 1, 2 finish in the men s 800m. Excellent work from the Dark Blues in the middle distance, and a glimpse of the extraordinary depth OUAC has in this department. The field, however, proved a strong area for Oxford. Beth Carter netted an outstanding hat-trick in the throws, destroying the field in all senses of the term. The OUAC President breathed a sigh of relief this wasn t the Iffley Road turf taking such a battering (after numerous arguments with an overly protective groundsman). In the jumps, GB Junior, Jude Bright- Davies secured his triple jump blues standard off a three-stride run up giving him an extra spring in his step. Special mention must go to decathlete Leif van Grinsven for competing in six individual events, winning three and placing second in two, undoubtedly the largest personal points haul of the day (if Leif were an Oxbridge University, he would ve come third in the medals table astonishing).

4 Jude Bright-Davies jumps a casual 14 metres

5 Up last, the relays. These are always an interesting feature of Freshers Varsity but, amazingly, both batons completed their journey round the track in all four instances. Cambridge took the majority of the spoils, with Oxford winning just the men s 4x400m. Results: Men s match to Oxford (105-83) Women s match to Cambridge (108-81). Full results can be found here The dream of a second undefeated season whisked away by the Cambridge wind; goals must now be reset. An overall Varsity victory very much on the cards, we turn our attention to the indoor season; a renewed drive into FEAR and through to the Summer. Things may be level now but you d certainly back Oxford to have the harder kick.

6 OUAC Needs You! Great performances by our athletes are made possible by a strong financial backing. The club welcomes and appreciates any and all donations from alumni, so if you can contribute to the continued success of this proud club, please consider donating. Thank you! Looking ahead... It is always a pleasure to reconnect with our alumni and hear about past exploits with OUAC, please do get in touch! Support at FEAR and The Varsity Match is hugely appreciated; a large crowd will certainly help to spur our athletes on to victory. It is our pleasure to invite you all to the annual dinner this year, date TBC and invitations to follow imminently, but we would love to see as many of you as possible there! 3 March Field Events and Relays Match, Lee Valley, London 19 May The 144th Varsity Match, Iffley Road, Oxford