Varsity Match 2023

Having been an unusually wet spring, CUAC and OUAC were delighted to be greeted by warm temperatures and a clear day for the event. The deckchairs were out as spectators enjoyed a fantastic meet with strong competition and plenty of camaraderie between the Cambridge and Oxford teams.  

Among many notable results: 

The Steven Stuart trophy for most memorable performance in the 2nd team matches went to Milly Dickinson (Gonville and Caius), Club Captain of CU Hare & Hounds, winner of the 1500m, and the 800m in a new match record of 2:17.74 

The Susan Dennler trophy for best performance in the Women's match went to Louise Shanahan (Trinity), who repeated her 400m/800m double from last year and broke her own 400m match record with 55.51 

The Achilles Trophy for outstanding contribution to Oxbridge athletics was shared by two athletes from Cambridge: 

Angus Harrington (St. John’s), CUAC President, US Tour Captain and recently crowned BUCS 800m Champion 

Mary Adeniji (Newnham), holder of most Long Jump wins in the Women's Varsity match with 5, along with 3 Triple Jump wins, culminating in her 6.06m PB in her final Long Jump at Varsity 2023. 

Johanna Schönecker (Clare) celebrated a match record for her 45.37m throw in the Javelin event 

There was also a fantastic solo 1500m record attempt by UCAPP athlete Jeremy Dempsey (Girton), who ran well clear of the rest of the field in 3:46.87, one of the fastest ever Varsity times 

Countless other top performances included a High Jump of 1.76m by Leonie Brunning (Emmanuel), a strong Shot Put win in 15.67m by Marley Young (Trinity), and Cambridge winning all 8 Blues Distance events – Phil O’Dell coaching all these athletes to victory, many of whom had also enjoyed podium success at BUCS Cross Country earlier in 2023.