UniRoos brave Oman's desert heat
Published Sun 18 Feb 2024
Amid soaring temperatures in Oman’s capital city, Australia’s burgeoning middle distance talent have had their first taste of international representation at the 2024 FISU World University Cross Country Championships.
Displaying true grit in 35 degree heat, nine Australians battled their way over the desert terrain for individual placings and team scores, as Victorians Andrew Amor (Robert Devries, New Mexico Highlands University) and Will Lewis (Steve Fabris, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology) led the charge as the country’s top performers at the prestigious meet.
NCAA competitor Amor was fast from the gun, to finish as the nation’s quickest man over 10km, recording 9th place in a field of 73 as the Australian contingent took on the winding course at the Military Technical College.
Though Amor’s strength shone through, the emerging talent worked together through the brutal conditions as Di Conza followed on behind in 14th, with Beischer finishing in 17th. Latouf rounded out the results with a 25th place finishing, as the team scored a total of 65, narrowly missing the podium.
“It was an absolute honour to be selected to represent Australia in the World University Cross Country Championships. I’ve had a blast with the team and enjoyed the entire experience,” he said.
“I’m really happy with how I ran and executed the race and can’t wait to learn from this opportunity which is hopefully not my last Aussie team.”
Finishing 11th overall in a field of 60 in the Men’s shorter 3km, Lewis worked through a two-lap course as the sole Australian in the field to deliver a strong debut.
“It was a real privilege to run for Australia for the first time. The 3km cross country was like nothing I’ve ever raced before. Tough, fast and very hot but happy with how I was able to execute the race and I finished so well.”
In the Women’s 10km event, four Australians took to seven laps of the course with reigning Australian U23 champion Bianca Puglisi (Frances Lopscombe, Victoria University) registering a 21st place finish in a field of 31 from 10 powerhouse countries.
“I have been incredibly excited for this competition and I am so ecstatic with my result,” Puglisi said.
“I was nervous about the conditions but I knew we were all in the same boat. I felt comfortable and I am happy with my execution and how smart I ran. It has been an amazing experience and I have learnt a lot from the opportunity.”
Saskia Lloyd (Tim O’Shaughnessy, the University of Melbourne) battled her way through the dry heat, placing 22nd as Poppy Austin (Adam Didyk, Adelaide University) followed on in 28th place. The youngest member of the team at 19-years-old, Bronte Oates (Katie St Lawrence, University of Sydney) completed the results with 29th place.
By Sascha Ryner, Athletics Australia
Posted: 18/2/2024
