Report from the BUCS Athletics and Rowing Championships

The university’s athletics and rowing teams made strong starts to their respective summer racing seasons as students enjoyed success at both the BUCS Athletics Championships held in Bedford, and the BUCS Rowing Championships in Nottingham.

Held concurrently over the May Day Bank Holiday the Athletics championships were an exciting prospect for a King’s College London Athletics and Cross Country Club that has grown significantly over the past 24 months and that would be sending its largest ever team to Bedford.With 20 students set to compete the squad had high hopes of achieving a best-ever team result at the Championships.

There was early success out on the field. After impressing in the heats, history student Laurence Goodacre’s throw of 14.05m in Saturday’s men’s shot put final saw him take third place on the podium. Laurence’s efforts would be matched the following day when Robert Sutherland claimed triple jump bronze to improve on his fourth place finish at the BUCS Indoor Championships back in February.

Robert Sutherland claims triple jump bronze

Alongside, opening her outdoor season – days after having helped unveil the new Team GB Olympic Kit - Great Britain sprinter and second year geography student Laviai Nielsen was looking forward to representing King’s as her campaign to gain Olympic selection began in earnest. Entered into the women’s 200m, rather than her typical 400m event, Laviai showcased her top-end speed over three rounds to set a new personal best and end the weekend with an inaugural BUCS Championship title. This final result ensured that the Athletics club finished the event with a record 3 medals.

The Women's 4x100m team at the BUCS Athletics Championships

Meanwhile, there were medals in Nottingham too as King’s students as helped the University of London Boat Club (ULBC) towards its total of 14 medals and the women’s Victor Ludorum trophy.

Poor weather conditions affected the racing timetable throughout the weekend, cancelling the intermediate women’s eight final and denying King’s College London Boat Club’s women’s eight the chance to improve on February’s 3rd place at the BUCS 4s and 8s Head.

More fortunate was medical student and ULBC oarsman James Richards who made it a full podium sweep by taking first in the lightweight men’s championship pair, second in the lightweight men’s championship double sculls and in the third in lightweight championship quadruple sculls. His results were added to by fellow King’s Sport Performance Athletes Nualla Gannon and Patrick Boomer who won a bronze medal in the championship women’s eights and a bronze medal in the men’s championship pairs respectively.

A full round up of ULBC’s results can be found here. Following the conclusion of both championships King’s College London lies 37th in the overall BUCS standings.

Congratulations to all students involved over the bank holiday weekend.