UniSport Australia and Athletics Australia are pleased to announce a seven-member team to compete at the 22nd FISU World University Cross Country Championships, to be held in Aveiro, Portugal on March 12.
The prestigious event has been a key pathway competition in the journey of many prolific Australian Olympians, including Jessica Stenson (nee Trengove) who placed 10th in 2010, and the likes of Steve Moneghetti, Shaun Creighton, Krishna Stanton, Natalie Harvey, Victoria Mitchell and Tokyo Olympians Liam Adams and Ellie Pashley.
This year’s team will be headlined by experienced campaigner Ed Goddard (Bachelor of Sports Media and Communications, Iona College, USA) who placed fourth in the half marathon at the 2019 World University Games in Napoli, Italy as well as 2019 World University Games athlete and The University of Queensland student Samantha Phillips (Master of Educational Studies - Guidance, Counselling and Careers). Goddard placed eighth in the last edition of the Championships in 2018 and has been in tremendous form this summer running 2:15.13 upon his marathon debut.
Queensland University of Technology student and 2018 team member Tim Vincent (Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Physiology), Harry Norman (Bachelor of Arts, The University of Melbourne), Harrison Bagley (Bachelor of Engineering, The University of Adelaide) will make up the men’s team, and The University of Sydney students Emma Mahon (Bachelor of Commerce/Advanced Studies) and Annabel White will complete the Australian contingent.
From top left: Harrison Bagley, Harry Norman, Samantha Phillips, Ed Goddard, Emma Mahon and Tim Vincent.
Athletics Australia General Manager, High Performance, Andrew Faichney said he was looking forward to seeing the seven-strong team take the next step in their endurance careers.
“The World University Cross Country Championships is an important stepping stone for athletes striving to make it onto our most elite teams, and in fact, it’s been the first senior teams for some of our most prolific marathoners including Jessica Stenson and Steve Moneghetti’s first senior medal.
“This is an invaluable opportunity for each of these seven athletes in becoming champion distance runners, and I’d like to congratulate each of them on their selection. We look forward to seeing each of them compete in Portugal next week.”
Australia have won many team medals and seven individual medals, including gold from Shaun Creighton (1992), Steve Moneghetti (1986) and Natalie Harvey (1996).
Australian team at the 2022 FISU World University Cross Country Championships in Aveiro, Portugal:
By David Tarbotton and Sascha Ryner, Athletics Australia
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