The Leeds Uni Athletics Club got their Varsity meet off to the best of starts with Lucy Crookes winning the women’s 3000m with relative ease. This was followed up well by Chris Smith who ran a hugely impressive last lap to take the title in the men’s event in a time of 9 minutes 23 seconds.

With Leeds Met boasting a strong women’s sprint team, Uni started to lose ground on their rivals in the overall standings. Uni’s James Williams did his best to pull the deficit back with strong wins against quality opposition in the 100m and 200m.

With Met women pulling away over the shorter distances, Caroline Ford picked up victories for Uni over 800m and 1500m, leading from first lap to last. The men took first and second in the 400m, as well a win in the 1500m for Uni’s Jacob Clark.

A brilliant team effort in the mile race walk saw Laura Haslam, Sophie Money, Tom Owen and Demi Aworinde fill in and wiggle their hips around in what might as well have been a stroll to Uni through Hyde Park for them.

With Uni trailing going into the relays there was still all to play for. Uni battled till the end and ther were victories for Uni women’s Sarina Jassal, Laura Haslam, Sophie Money and Chloe Boomer in the 4×100 and Uni men’s Tom Owen, Ed Hall, Shane Adams and Jacob Clark with brilliant legs from Jacob and captain Shane in the process.

Despite Uni’s best efforts in the really, overall victory went to Met, 184-161. A disappointing result for Uni but a good team effort to fill the spaces in every event was notable.

Jack Fairs

Image courtesy of Leeds Gryphons