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Freshers Varsity 2024

Match Report

PUBLICATION DATE

3 February 2025

AUTHOR

Dillon Rinauro

To kick off the weekend, CUAC hosted a pizza social at Jesus College, providing athletes with a chance to connect and build camaraderie ahead of the competition. The atmosphere carried over into the next day, where, despite the contentious timing of an early November outdoor athletics meet, this year’s Freshers Varsity Match at Iffley Road turned into a showcase of talent and teamwork under cloudy skies. CUAC captains Jess O’ and Oli fielded strong squads that delivered a day packed with thrilling competition and standout performances. Cambridge emerged victorious on both the men’s (82-61) and women’s (80-73) sides, solidifying their dominance in a closely fought contest against Oxford.


The men’s match featured commanding victories, with Cambridge sweeping key events like the pole vault, 400m hurdles, and discus. A highlight was the thrilling 400m, where just 1.5 seconds separated the top four finishers, including half-blue performances from Ben Greenleaf (51.28), Zac Baylis (51.52), and Sol Inglis (51.82). Zhe Xi Ho impressed in the 200m with a half-blue 23.47, while Tobias Plank dominated the discus with a 40.09m throw. The relays added excitement, with CUAC clocking 48.14 in the 4x100m for a decisive win.


The women’s match was closer but equally impressive. Anne-Sophie Bremans claimed the 200m in a half-blue time of 26.90, while Kaila Borgards stole the show with victories in the hammer (27.17m), discus (28.82m), and shot put (9.39m), all earning half-blues. Emma Hart’s 2.20m pole vault and Maike Deckert’s 30.78m javelin throw were other standout moments. The women’s 4x100 relay was the day’s most thrilling event, with Cambridge narrowly edging Oxford by just 0.57 seconds.


The cherry on top was the inaugural mixed 4x400 relay, where Cambridge’s team of Bremans, Greenleaf, Inglis, and Olivia Sparks broke the match record with a stunning 3:45.29, narrowly beating Oxford. The Freshers Varsity Match highlighted the depth and potential of CUAC’s new recruits, setting the stage for a promising season ahead.


After the match, celebrations moved to Vincent’s Club (Vinny’s) in Oxford, where both teams gathered to reflect on the day and cement the camaraderie evident throughout the competition. These socials bookended a highly successful weekend for CUAC and laid the foundation for a strong season ahead.


Results Summary:


Men’s Match: Cambridge 82-61 Oxford

Women’s Match: Cambridge 80-73 Oxford

Overall Joint Match: Cambridge 162-134 Oxford


Match Highlights:

  • Men’s 400m: A thrilling race with just 1.5 seconds separating the top four; Ben Greenleaf (51.28), Zac Baylis (51.52), and Sol Inglis (51.82) secured half-blues, though the win went narrowly to Oxford.

  • Women’s 4x100m Relay: Cambridge triumphed in a nail-biting finish, clocking 56.11 to Oxford’s 56.68.

  • Mixed 4x400m Relay: Cambridge set a match record with a stunning 3:45.29, narrowly beating Oxford’s 3:46.53.

Photos

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