BUSA INDOOR ATHLETICS 2005
(by Claire Day)
Last weekend several of Cambridge's hottest sportsmen and women competed in the BUSA Indoors Athletics competition in Sheffield. Indoor racing provides superb conditions, if an oddly shaped track, for returning to competition after a winter's training. And the training had certainly paid off, with two Cambridge athletes claiming bronze medals in their events and several athletes making their finals.
Despite many last minute drop-outs due to illness and injury, the multi-talented ladies' team managed to cover a range of events from 60m to 3k, pole vault to shot put, and even managed to assemble a 4x200m relay team. The team star, Phyllis Agbo, qualified for the finals in both the long jump and the 60m hurdles, winning bronze medal in the latter against tough opposition. Sarah Kummerfeld knocked another 10 seconds off her 3km personal best and Ladies' Captain Grace Clements, an all-round Heptathlon star, competed commendably in several events, along with team-mate Clare Palmer, who also braved the intense pressure of the 60m heats.
The men likewise covered many events, but showed their strength particularly in the middle distances. Stuart Forbes and Andy Owen both qualified for the semi-finals of the 800m, then Cross-Country Supremo Will George fared well in his first taste of indoor action, making the finals of the 3k and then smashing his previous best by over 30 seconds. All this despite a counting error (14 laps instead of 15) in his heat! To complete the middle distance success, seasoned pros Rich Ward and Paulo Natali both qualified for the 1500m final, coming in 3rd and 7th respectively - in fact, this was Mr Ward's fourth appearance in the top three at BUSA indoor 1500m finals.
The men also put in admirable performances in the sprints, covered several field events and put forward a strong 4x200m relay team. All in all a successful weekend for CUAC athletes and a very promising start to the summer season.