From Personal Bests to Shared Moments: Inside UniSport Nationals Athletics

The UniSport Nationals Athletics Championships (Nationals Athletics) once again delivered a week of high-level competition, personal milestones and shared moments across Australia’s university athletics community.

For student-athletes Amber Nyssen (Queensland University of Technology, Bachelor of Interaction Design and Information Systems, IT and Design) and Ben Guse (Southern Cross University, Master of Osteopathic Medicine), this year’s event was defined by breakthrough performances, perspective-building experiences and the unique atmosphere that continues to set university athletics apart from other meets.

UniSport Australia (UniSport) gained insight into Nationals Athletics through Amber and Ben, who shared their experiences of competing, balancing study with performance, and the moments that made this year’s event memorable both on and off the track and field.

Take us inside your experience at Nationals Athletics – How were you feeling in the lead-up to your event and during it?

For both Amber and Ben, the event came at different stages of their season and preparation. As heptathlon and decathlon athletes respectively, both arrived at Nationals Athletics balancing demanding training loads while embracing the opportunity to compete in the unique university athletics environment.

Amber attended following a strong summer and recent competition at the Australian Athletics Championships in Heptathlon, feeling prepared to push herself across her events. Entering individual disciplines, she described feeling excited and settled within the athletics community. “I felt ready to crush some personal bests,” she said, adding that while there were nerves on competition days, the familiar athletics environment helped her feel at home.

Ben, meanwhile, approached the event with a more relaxed mindset, viewing it as a performance checkpoint rather than a high-pressure event. “For me personally, this competition had no pressure or expectations,” he said, explaining it was an opportunity to assess his fitness ahead of the upcoming season.

Despite the differing approaches, both highlighted the positive atmosphere and the enjoyment of competing alongside familiar faces from across the country.

What did it mean to represent your university at a national competition, and how did it differ from other events you’ve competed in?

Representing their universities was a shared point of pride for both athletes, though the context of their institutions shaped the experience in different ways.

For Amber, representing Queensland University of Technology (QUT) for the fifth consecutive year carried significant meaning. “It never goes understated how appreciative I am to represent my university at the national level,” she said, noting the opportunity to study and compete simultaneously as something she does not take for granted. Amber also reflected on the unique culture of university athletics, describing UniSport Nationals Athletics as a relaxed, welcoming and supportive environment. “Everyone I interact with wishes me the best in my events, and I know they mean it.”

Ben’s experience came from a different perspective as one of the few athletes representing Southern Cross University (SCU). “To represent SCU is special,” he said, highlighting the pride in being part of a developing program. He also pointed to the broader appeal of Nationals, where athletes get to reconnect from across Australia. “It brings people together. For me, I get to see previous teammates and competitors that I normally only see once or twice a year, and that’s what makes Nationals Athletics special and meaningful.”

That sense of pride and connection carried into competition, where both athletes produced moments that marked their Nationals Athletics experience.

What was your standout moment from Nationals Athletics, and why did it mean so much to you?

Both athletes left Nationals with defining personal highlights, each reflecting progress in different areas of their sport.

A significant moment for Amber came in the 100m hurdles, where she broke the 16-second barrier for the first time after years of targeted training. She also got the opportunity to represent QUT in a new event she had been training in, pole vault, and performed an equal best despite limited preparation. “First-year UniSport Nationals Amber would be ecstatic over this performance, to see how far I have come in rhythm, aggression and belief,” she said, reflecting on what were the best results she has ever achieved at Nationals Athletics.

Ben’s standout moment came during the long jump final, where the atmosphere elevated the entire experience. “It was so great to see not only the crowd, but all the competitors rallying around each other and supporting one another with the clap,” he said, adding that this created an atmosphere that uplifted the athletes and fostered an environment where they could socialise and banter as competitors.

How do you balance the demands of a high-intensity competition schedule with your university studies, and what has helped you maintain that balance?

Balancing high-intensity sport and study remains a constant challenge for both athletes, requiring structure, flexibility and communication.

Amber emphasised the importance of organisation and support systems, particularly through QUT’s Elite Athlete Program, which assists with academic flexibility during competition periods. “It’s tricky balancing competition with university studies, especially when the event occurs during peak assignment times,” she said. As a multi-event athlete, Amber explained that constantly adapting her weekly schedule has become an important part of balancing training and study commitments.

Ben also highlighted the need for discipline, particularly as a decathlete managing a large training load alongside study. He shared practical strategies to stay productive, including listening to lectures while driving. “It might sound boring, but it’s the little stuff to fill in the gaps that make the most difference,” he said. Ben also stressed the importance of balance, recognising that rest and recovery are essential parts of sustaining performance.

How would you describe the atmosphere amongst student-athletes at Nationals Athletics?

Despite competing across different events and universities, both athletes highlighted the strong sense of connection and team culture present throughout Nationals.

Amber noted that athletes are highly supportive of one another and, with Nationals Athletics marking the final World Athletics recognised event on the Australian calendar for many competitors, there is a shared excitement around finishing the season strongly.

For Ben, the atmosphere stood out because of the opportunity to compete as part of a team within what is traditionally an individual sport. “In an individual sport, the opportunity to compete for your team rather than yourself is fantastic,” he said, explaining how the university environment creates a different and more meaningful competition experience.

That strong sense of support and connection ultimately shaped what Nationals Athletics meant to both athletes beyond competition results, with the event becoming a defining part of their university experience.

Amber described Nationals as an annual highlight, valuing not only the opportunity to perform at a high level, but also the sense of community created throughout the event. “UniSport Nationals Athletics isn’t just about high-performance, it encapsulates the track and field experience,” she said, noting the opportunity for athletes of all backgrounds and abilities to find an event and community where they belong.

Ben similarly reflected on the broader value of Nationals, particularly the team environment created within an otherwise individual sport. “The opportunity to compete for your team rather than yourself is fantastic and a complete flip of the script,” he said. “It makes competing more meaningful when you are part of a team and you have people to celebrate that success with.”

He added that, beyond the results and performances, Nationals Athletics is ultimately about the people and connections formed throughout the experience.

“Nationals Athletics has presented me with the opportunity to meet some amazing and talented athletes over the duration of my degree, and it will always be one of the most fun and engaging competitions I have competed in.”

Together, Amber and Ben’s reflections highlight what continues to define Nationals; a unique blend of competition, community, and shared experience that extends well beyond the track and field.

Congratulations to all student-athletes from the 38 member universities who competed at the 2026 UniSport Nationals Athletics Championships.