2010 News
- News Archive
Sport St Mary's Enjoys Spring Success
Recent Sport St Mary's success stories include:
Twell and Vernon Win Cross Country Titles
Osagie, Vernon and Overall Qualify for the IAAF World Indoors
St Mary’s athlete Andrew Osagie ran a PB to finish third in an exhilarating 800m race, clocking 1:47.71 to be the first British runner home at the Aviva Grand Prix in Birmingham on 20th February, finishing well inside the qualifying standard for the IAAF World Indoors in Doha.
Andrew’s coach, Craig Winrow, a former GB international at 800m, said: "When Andrew first arrived at the University College he was a relatively inexperienced athlete, but in just over three years he has made significant progress. He is a talented runner who can perform at a world-class level and the support provided by the programme at St Mary’s and the London Marathon will help him to develop further."
Unfortunately Mo Farah, another athlete working out of the St Mary’s Endurance Performance and Coaching Centre (EPACC) had to pull out of the 3000m due to a cold. However strong representation for the Centre was assured with both Andy Vernon and Scott Overall making the standard for the World Indoors in 7:49.84 and 7:50.66 respectively.
After the Aviva Grand Prix, UKA announced the Great Britain and Northern Ireland team to compete in the IAAF World Indoors in Doha. After his strong run, Andrew Osagie was selected for his first senior international debut. Scott Overall was selected for the 3000m and, even though he made the qualifying time, Andy Vernon declined the opportunity as his season is structured around other races. Gemma Turtle, a former student of St Mary’s, was also picked to run in the 3000m.
Rose Anne Galligan, a current St Mary’s student, has been selected to compete for Ireland at the World Indoors after running at the Spanish Championships and significantly improving her 1500m PB to 4:12.72 from 4:15.13.
St Mary’s Athletes in the Action at the Aviva World Trials
The Aviva World Trials and Indoor Championships held in Sheffield on 13th and 14th February saw some strong performances from past and present St Mary’s athletes.
In the 800m final Andrew Osagie ran an impressive and tactically smart race finishing strongly to take the win.
Rose Anne Galligan ran a PB in the 1500m providing Helen Clitheroe, the eventual winner, with her only opposition. In the men’s 1500m a tactical race saw Colin McCourt storm through in the final stages to take the UK title.
After winning the BUCS Cross Country Championships Andy Vernon’s good form continued with him winning an exciting 3000m on the track. With 700m to go, Tom Lancashire looked to make a decisive move but Andy Vernon’s strength saw him grabbing the lead in the final 100m to win in 8:00.70.
Other athletes currently working out of the St Mary’s Endurance Performance and Coaching Centre (EPACC), Scott Overall (1500m) and Mike Skinner (3000m) , competed in finals at the Championships.
Former students added to St Mary’s strong presence in the endurance events. Gemma Turtle won the UK 3000m title with Faye Fullerton finishing fourth and Neil Gamester competing in the 3000m final.
EPACC Athletes Perform Superbly in BUCS Championships
Athletes from the St Mary’s Endurance Performance and Coaching Centre (EPACC) provided a powerful display of cross country running in the BUCS Cross Country Championships held at the University of Stirling on 6th February.
GB internationals and defending champions Andy Vernon and Steph Twell ran impressively to win their respective individual titles and secure important points in the team competitions.
St Mary’s won the men’s competition by a considerable margin, beating Birmingham and Loughborough. Andy Vernon’s dominant run set the mark for the day and fellow GB internationals Mitch Goose and Ben Lindsay did not disappoint, finishing in third and fourth, with first year student Ronnie Sparke making a strong debut to secure the next team position.
In the women’s long race Jo Harvey ran a smart race to follow Steph Twell home and finish in fourth place. St Mary’s had four runners inside the top 20 and good performances from all involved earned the team third position.
Prior to the men’s B race the team huddle saw St Mary’s captain, Ben Lindsay, match the inspirational surroundings with an equally impressive team talk. The competitive desire of the University College’s runners to beat their university counterparts was obvious throughout the day. In a hard fought final race the strength in depth provided by EPACC won through with sufficient points scored to gain yet another team first position.
Ben Lindsay said: "The endurance setup at St Mary’s is incredibly strong and has been reflected in our performances at the BUCS Cross Country. The input of coaches Mick Woods and Craig Winrow is vital; all of our runners access not only their coaching but also the excellent facilities and support services. Being a part of the St Mary’s EPACC programme involves a lot of hard work but it’s also a lot of fun and days like today provide the payoff."
