UniSA student athletes sporting prowess have been on full display over the last few months, with numerous athletes achieving remarkable feats at various prestigious events, including the Olympic Games , World Athletics U20 Championships and the Women's World Junior Lacrosse Championships.
Matthew Glaetzer's Olympic Glory
Matthew Glaetzer, a seasoned track cyclist, represented Australia at his fourth Olympic Games in Paris, where he brought home two bronze medals. Glaetzer's impressive performances in the team sprint and Keirin events showcased his dedication and skill, adding to his already impressive Olympic legacy. Off the track, Glaetzer is also pursuing academic excellence; he has completed a Diploma in Health Studies and is currently studying for a Bachelor of Health Science online at the University of South Australia.
Young Talent at the World Athletics U20 Championships
In Lima, Tryphena Hewett made her mark by securing third place in the pole vault at the World Athletics U20 Championships. This event serves as a crucial developmental platform for young athletes, allowing them to navigate the complexities of high-level competition, including time zone adjustments and performance optimisation. Hewett's achievement highlights the importance of these Championships in the Athletics Australia Performance Pathway.
Ruby’s Inspiring Journey in Lacrosse
Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) student, Ruby Halloran Represented Australia in the inaugural IIJL Women's World Junior Lacrosse Championship for 2024 in East Aurora, New York. Ruby was honoured to be named alternate captain of the Australian team. Competing from August 29 to September 2, she played a pivotal role in guiding her team to a silver medal finish, narrowly missing gold after an intense grand final against Canada, which ended 8-7. This thrilling experience propels Ruby closer to her goal of making the 2026 Women's World Box Lacrosse Championship Australian Team.
Michael Case's Triathlon Triumph
Meanwhile, in Townsville, Michael Case faced the gruelling challenge of the 2024 World Triathlon Long Distance Championships. Competing in a triathlon that included a 3km swim, a 114km bike ride, and a 30km run, Case finished with an impressive time of just over 7.5 hours, showcasing his endurance and commitment to the sport. An online student who is juggling a family, full time work and studying online a Bachelor of Health Science (Nutrition and Exercise).
National Championship Success for Tiana Cetta
Tiana Cetta, first year Bachelor in Clinical Exercise Physiology (Honours) is an athlete on the rise, representing South Australia at two national championships in August. On the 11th August, she finished third at the Australian Half-Marathon Championships held on the Sunshine Coast. Later, on August 31, she excelled at the Australian Cross Country Championships in Tasmania, winning the U20 women’s 6km event, further establishing her as a rising star in distance running. This event in Tasmania was also the UniSport Australia Cross Country Championships.
Isabella Larobina Shines in Aerobics
At the FISAF (Federation of International Sport Aerobics and Fitness) Australian National Championship 2024 held on the Gold Coast from August 28-31, Isabella Larobina showcased her talent in the highly competitive arena of sport aerobics. She clinched first place in Pairs and took home third place in Fitness, highlighting her versatility and dedication in a sport that requires both strength and artistry. Isabella is studying 2 year in Medical Radiation Science (Medical Imaging).
UniSport Nationals Highlights
The UniSport Nationals in Canberra from September 7-13 brought together some of the best University athletes across Australia. Abigail Faulkner and Sophie Fenton-Killick represented UniSA with pride in women’s netball. In road cycling, Jake Nesbitt earned a bronze medal in the cycling criterium, while teammate Darcy Strudwick narrowly missed the podium, finishing fourth in the road race. In Judo, Lillee and Andrew Wakefield both made their mark, with Lillee winning a gold medal in the Over 78kg weight class and Andrew claiming bronze in the Under 73kg class.
All of these athletes are part of the UniSA Sport Athlete Development Program (ADP), which supports their efforts to combine study and sport in the pursuit of excellence. Their achievements are a combination of dedication and hard work that goes into competing at a national and international level.
Applications are now open for the 2025 UniSA Sport Athlete Development Program. For further information and a link to the application form Click here