AUTHOR

Olivia Sparks

Spurred on by a successful pre-VFEAR social at Hughes Hall, with the non-alcoholic drinks flowing and the questionable pre-race-day dominoes dinner, the team was well-prepared for an early start to the day. This was doubtlessly aided by the coach’s entrance into Lee Valley with Chariots of Fire blasting, courtesy of the men’s captain, Oli Hector. And it was certainly a successful day, with a clear win for Cambridge at 17 total event-wins, versus Oxford’s 11.  

While all the track-athletes were in the warmth of Lee Valley’s indoor track, the throwers braved it in the rain and heavy winds outside. But this did not stop Maike Deckert from gaining half-blue standards and PBs across multiple throwing disciplines, with 29.73 in hammer, 18.38 in javelin, 28.78 in discuss and 9.89 in shot put. Kalia Bogards also achieved multiple half-blue standards in all the heavy throws (10.53 shot put, 26.96 discuss, 30.83 hammer). Pole vault was equally successful, with Lauren Healy achieving a half-blue and a PB of 2.81! But, perhaps the most dominating event of the day was the men’s high jump, with all four light-blues (Phillip Odugbile, Oyare Aneju, Morgan Treasure and John Bennett) battling it out against each other, having quickly eliminated the dark-blue competition. Both Phillip and Oyare jumped 1.95m, drawing in first place.  

Onto the relays, there were several PBs from both the men’s and the women’s sides, which no doubt helped bring CUAC to a well-deserved victory. Anise Mellodey and Helen Pretorius doubled up in the 60m and 4x200, with both women gaining PBs of 8.06 and 7.95 in the 60m respectively. Still, the height of the relay drama doubtlessly peaked in the men’s 200m. Most unfortunately, a collision eliminated the OUAC b-team, as the runner with the baton tumbled over during a very dramatic changeover, following which the Cambridge a-team took the victory in a speedy 1:32.45. In the men’s 60m hurdles, the four CUAC men once again dominated the field, especially considering that none of the OUAC men showed up (we must have scared them off). Men’s captain Oli Hector won this tight race in a speedy 9.00s. And finally, our blue-standard thrower Carys Ward bravely stepped up to run a leg in the women’s 4x800 at the last minute due to a teammate’s injury, after winning the Javelin with an impressive 36.90. 

Following the festivities of the trophy ceremony and a series of great team photos (most notably Team 4’s sleepover-esque picture on the high jump mat), everyone headed back to the coach, where many CUAC members decided to take a much-needed nap before the evening activities ensued. Back on home territory in Hawk’s, our athletes duly celebrated the end of the drinking ban and finished the night off in Lola’s. Now the team hopes to secure its final win against Oxford in the Outdoor Varsity, commencing in early May.