From September 24-30, over 100 students represented JCU at UniSport Nationals that was held on the Gold Coast with over 6,000 students from across 40 universities/institutions competing across 30 sports.
JCU sent the largest team since 2013 with JCU coming away with a silver and bronze medal.
Here is a summary of how JCU went:
Basketball
Our men’s basketball team continued to improve on performances from previous years. The team were unfortunate to win only one game in the pool stages however the team performed very well in the classification matches winning 3 out of 4 matches. In the end, the team finished in a respectful 15th position at Division 2 improving on their finish from last year.
Beach Volleyball
JCU had representation in both women’s pairs and mixed fours. Both teams played outstanding throughout the competition.
The reigning women's pairs champions consisting of Shannon Wong & Irish Espanola claimed a Silver Medal at the competition. The women’s side finished second in their pool winning all but one match with their only loss against La Trobe University. As they finished second, Shannon and Irish went straight through to the Semi-Finals against Griffith University where they won in two sets to set up a rematch with La Trobe University. JCU were able to claim the first set 25-23 however La Trobe proved to be too strong for JCU claiming the second and third sets. It was still an outstanding performance from Shannon and Irish to secure a Silver Medal.
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Meanwhile in the mixed fours competition, JCU had a strong performance in the pool stage against quality opposition winning 3 out of 6 games to secure fourth place in the group as well as a spot in the quarter finals. Unfortunately the team went down to a strong University of Technology Sydney who would go to win the Bronze Medal. The Mixed Fours however were able to secure a win in their last game to finish 7th at Division 1.
Cycling
For the first time ever, JCU had representation in cycling with Harriet Trubshaw and Isla Hawkins competing in both the Women's Criterium and Road Race. In the criterium, the race had to be finish 5 minutes earlier due to the storm coming through the Gold Coast however both Harriet and Isla did great finishing 6th and 7th respectively in the competition. Meanwhile in the Road Race, the conditions were very different the day prior with the day bringing the sun and heat. The ladies did a great job in the race as the pair finished 5th and 6th respectively. Overall, JCU finished 4th across all events in the women's competition as well as 5th overall which is a tremendous effort for a team made up of two.
Football
For the first time since 2009, JCU sent a team to compete in the men's football competition. JCU played great in the pool rounds to just miss out on a quarter finals spot finishing with a record of 2 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss with the loss coming against the reigning champions Western Sydney University and drawing against the University of Sydney. Despite not making the quarter finals, JCU would go on to remain undefeated throughout the remainder of competition to finish in 9th position.
Netball
In a 28 team competition, our women's netball team had a great competition after finishing the pool rounds in second position with 5 wins and 1 loss. This saw JCU progress through to the round of 16 where they took on the University of Wollongong. After a tough match, JCU were able to win a close one 34-29 which saw them progress to the Quarter Finals where they took on the University of Melbourne. Unfortunately the University of Melbourne proved to be too strong beating JCU 45-35. JCU would go on to finish 8th at Division 1 which is an improvement on our performance in Perth last year.
Rowing
Our men's rowing side kept themselves very busy throughout the competition competing in all men's events with some races featuring multiple entries from JCU. JCU would have success in finishing 1st in the B Final for the Men's Coxed Four as well as Noah Lau finishing first in the B Final of the Men's Single Scull. JCU did feature in two A Finals including for the very first time in the men's eight competition which is the biggest race of the rowing regatta. It was a thrilling race to finish off the competition and JCU showed they could match it with the best with team finishing in 7th position.
However the highlight of the rowing competition was winning the Bronze Medal in the Lightweight Four. The team made up of Elliott Basso, Lukas Browne, Patrick Cudmore and Zac Judge had a hard race to secure a Bronze Medal claiming JCUs fourth medal in a rowing event and the very first in the lightweight four competition.
Overall, JCU would finish in 8th overall in the men's competition throughout the regatta.
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Rugby 7s
Our Women's Rugby 7s competition was quite special this year with matches being held at CBUS Super Stadium - home of the Gold Coast Titans.
JCU had a strong pool round finishing third in the group with 3 wins and 2 losses. This booked JCU a spot in the quarter finals where they would go on to beat the University of New England comfortably 33-0 setting up a semi-final match against the University of Technology Sydney who were too strong for JCU (UTS would go on to win Gold in the tournament) therefore setting up a Bronze Medal match against the University of Newcastle.
The University of Newcastle started the game strong as they led 27-7 at point in the game however JCU nearly pulled off a miracle to win the match as they scored in the last minute of the game in the corner however JCU were unable to kick the drop goal from the sideline with the final score 27-26
Ultimate Disc
For the first time since 2015, JCU had a team competing in the Ultimate Disc competition. JCU would start strong in the tournament finishing third in the group to book a spot in the repechage against the University of Wollongong. Unfortunately they were too strong for JCU with as they went down 11-7. This meant JCU fell into the Division 2 bracket where the team would go on to finish 5th at Division 2 however JCU was the best performing Queensland University at the competition.
Volleyball
This year we had representation across both the women's and men's competitions. In the women's competition, JCU showed they could match it with any university across Australia as they finished second in the group. This set up an elimination match against the University of Wollongong in which they won in both sets to progress through to the quarter-finals to go up against Monash University. Unfortunately their run came to an end going down to them in straight sets. Overall the women's volleyball team would go on to finish 7th at Division 1.
In the men's competition, JCU were also had a strong showing in the competition to finish third in the pool rounds. This set them up for a elimination match in the next round against the University of Queensland however JCU would go down to them in straight sets. The JCU side were able to finish the competiton in 12th position at Division 1.
Big congratulations to all of our students who competed.
For all the results, click on the following:
Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Football, Netball, Rugby 7s, Ultimate & Volleyball - HERE
Cycling - HERE
Rowing - HERE