BUAC showed their class with a mighty win over Cardiff Met University at the Dual Match in Cardiff on 30th November. The domination was seen in all areas, with a number of outstanding performances, resulting in many PBs, but also in the team support, face paint and impressive hairstyles. We saw BUAC athletes compete in 38 races or events, and from this there were 26 PBs! The comradery and support shown by each BUACer was unrivalled. A massive thank you to everyone who also came to support even if they were not competing, that made BUAC even better.
The 60m races started off the day, with an army of BUAC competitors in both the men and women’s races. The women saw a PB for everyone who competed, with Zoe Austridge coming in fastest with her first sub 8 performance, running a stunning 7.99. With other performances from Amelia Briggs-Goode (8.41), Kati Hulme (8.27), Grace Majer (8.59), Hannah Darby (8.33) and Iona Butler (9.19).
The men followed up, with some further great performances. Cam Bailey (7.06) and Julian Priest (7.12) took a splendid 1 and 2 in the first of the men’s 60m races. Sam Clifton took on the role of a mutli eventer for the day, starting his campaign with a PB of 8.32. Nathan Franklyn (7.67), Zach Blair (7.69), Joe Foster (7.28), Jamie Worman (7.47), also ran some great times.
Whilst these track races were occurring, the field saw more BUAC class in the shot put. Imy Sheppard and Kati Hulme showed their versatility and commitment to BUAC to step into an event they are not accustomed to. Despite having never trained for it, they both threw amazingly, with PBs for both. Imy (8.23m) and Kati (7.05m).
In the men’s event, Billy McCauley showed his talent, with an outstanding win in the event, winning by almost a metre, with a throw of 13.11m. Sam Clifton continued his multi-eventing in the shot, with his second PB of the day throwing 10.39m. Ben McIntyre also threw a PB with 8.82m, and Jamie Worman continued his successful day with a throw of 10.64m.
Back on track, up next was the 300ms. Joe Foster stormed to victory, with a stunning 37.49, outdoing the rest of the field. In the women’s, Ella Jeffrey navigated the tight bends, to also run a wonderful PB of 42.84. Following her, Grace Majer ran 44.38 to come 2nd in her race.
Coming up after was the 600m races, in which Mikes (sprints) group had an impressive turn out. In the women’s races BUAC showed complete control, with Orla Brennan winning race one (1:39.96) and Esther Hulley winning race two (1:40.81). Also in race two, Steff Fisher posted an impressive 1:41.43, and Kati Hulme with her 3rd PB of the day running 1:41.65. Clara Higgs also ran a PB, improving by over a second to 1:42.19. In the men’s, it was a fight to the line, with George Sutcliffe narrowly missing out on the win, but running an astonishing 4 second PB, to run 1:25.99. Ben McIntyre completed his hectic day, with a 1:26.96 posting. In the next race, Cam Bailey won an exciting race, where he ran a sensational 1:25.00, he now has no chance of not being a 400m runner! Also in this race, fresher Fionn Leaney ran a PB of 1:29.06.
Back to the infield, the long jump competition was commencing. Mali Birk gallantly embraced the BUAC spirit and volunteered to compete in this event, despite having never even attempted it before!! He jumped an impressive 4.82m, whilst learning on the job. Sam Clifton also stepped up, for his final performance of his mutli-events for the day, jumping 4.66m. In the women’s, straight off her 600m victory, Esther Hulley leaped to 4.96m, just shy of the 5m mark. Also in the field, was Emeline Brown, jumping 4.42m.
For the penultimate event of the day, came the 200ms. Despite Cardiff bends being extremely tight, we saw some splendid results. Up first was Emeline Brown, clocking 29.31, with Zoe Austridge following in the next race with 26.60 (PB). In the men’s, Nathan Franklyn ran sub-25, with 24.90, to run yet another PB of the day. Finally, Mali Birk, also ran a PB with 25.49.
In the final event of the day, the hotly anticipated 4x200m relays. Up first were the women. On first leg came Grace Majer, leading the girls out with a great run to put us in contention with the other teams. Up next was Kati Hulme, who had arguably one of her best runs ever, overtaking Cardiff Met on the home straight to hand over in first to Ella Jeffrey. Ella stormed round 200m, to extend the lead, and hand over to Steff Fisher on last leg. Steff posted the fastest leg of the team, to win the relay and earn BUAC vital maximum points. On the side lines, BUAC support was astonishing, screaming the girls home, and showing just how impressive BUAC is.
Up next were the boys, with Joe Foster up first, drawing lane one but he did not let the tight bends stop him from racing round to put BUAC in a strong position. He handed over to track captain Jamie Worman, who put his all into his leg, meaning that BUAC were in contention for some big points. Cardiff Met had fielded a strong team, meaning the race was now between us and Swansea. Zach Blair was up next on 3rd leg. With every step, he closed up on Swansea and the gap was looking smaller and smaller. On last leg, came Fionn, whose run was outstanding, posting a very speedy time, and overtaking Swansea on the home straight to come home in second place behind Met. All the while, the roars from every BUACer was getting louder and louder.
The BUAC domination was seen throughout the competition, and this did not end with the final results. Birmingham won the dual match over Cardiff Met like lightwork!! The support was unmatched, and to quote one girl from Cardiff Uni, “you all look so good with your face paint and hair”. A huge congratulations to everyone who competed, and hopefully this is just the start of winning ways for BUAC!
Link to the full results
Link to photographs by Oli Jones
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