Each year OUAC's athletes produce a range of outstanding performances. For
those sufficiently talented and wind-assisted, such performances may result
in them earning their "Blue".
As is explained on the page where the
Blues standards are listed,
certain times, distances or heights have to be achieved before an
athlete is awarded a Blue. This has to be done at some point during the
athletics season. The athlete also has to compete in the Varsity match
against Cambridge to be eligible for a Blue.
Historically, a full Blue was only awarded to an athlete who won his or her
event on the day of the Varsity match. This however, as is explained more
fully in the club history, led to anomalies. Cornes and Lovelock
practically holding hands as they crossed the line in the mile - so that
they would dead heat and both be awarded a full Blue - is one famous
example.
This problem (as well as considerable unfairness) was overcome by the
development of common standards which all athletes could aspire to.
While some of the standards which Oxford athletes are required to achieve
are more onerous than our Cambridge counterparts, the club makes no
apologies for this. If you're looking for the easy option, you know where
to go.
It's a great honour to be awarded a full Blue. Not everyone deserving
athlete actually receives one. It is a rare commodity, but this only makes
it more sought after. Below are profiles of last year's OUAC legends who
struck gold.
| Clara Blattler |
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| 400mh 63.15s, Pole Vault 3.71m |
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The 2009-2010 OUAC Women's Captain has achieved Blues standard performances in the pole vault and the 400m hurdles, winning both events at the Varsity Match. Vaulting an OUAC record of 3.71m at the indoor FEAR match, she also placed 5th at the BUCS outdoor championships.
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| Hannah Hogben |
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| Hammer Throw 44.25m |
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Hannah has been the dedicated leader of the OUAC throwing squad for 2009-2010. She has delivered solid performances in the shot put and discus, but had the strongest results in the hammer throw, where she threw a fantastic personal best this year of 44.25m.
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| Liz Murpphy |
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| Shot Putt 11.75m |
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Liz came back to athletics from a brief retirement to jump and throw in the spring outdoor season. A blues rower as well as a blues athlete, she achieved Blues standard performances this year in the shot put. Unfortunately, an injury on the day of the Varsity Match prevented her from acquiring any wins in that competition.
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| Ashley Nord |
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| Pole Vault 3.50m |
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Ashley unfortunately could not perform to her best in the Varsity Match due to an Achilles tendon injury, but expect her to be back next year to help the Oxford women dominate the pole vault. She cleared a season's best of 3.50m in the indoor season.
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| Bethany Staniland |
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| Shot Putt 11.53m, Discus 38.59m |
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Bethany made a fantastic recovery from multiple knee operations to rejoin us this year in the throws, achieving Blues standards in the shot put and the discus. Amazingly, she achieved a fantastic personal best in the discus of 38.59m this spring.
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| Alex Skouby |
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| High Jump 1.95m |
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Captain Skouby led from the front for all of the 2009/2010 season. Despite a dissapointing competition at the indoor BUCS, Skouby completed his 3rd-straight team victory in the FEAR high jump competition, during which he emerged victorious in the 2nd-string 60mh, to complete the squad victory there too. As Varsity approached, Alex began to fine tune his preparation, and entered the Varsity match as favourite to take his 3rd consecutive high jump win. But the going wasn't smooth - Cambridge's talisman Louis Persent pushed him all the way, but after a shakey start with some uncharacteristic failures at lower heights, Skouby's class came through, winning the epic competition with a success at 1.95m. With the 5 points secured, Skouby raised the bar to 2.02m to attempt a new personal best, and secure his place in the club's all-time top-10, but missed it by the narrowist of margins. As he enters his 4th year, Alex has set his sights on a remarkable 4th straight win in the Blues high jump, a BUCS medal, and a PB to make him one of the all-time great Oxford high jumpers.
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| Jeff Piercy |
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| Discus 41.22m, Hammer Throw 47.36m |
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A real saviour for the team, Jeff only began competing for us in trinity term and was more than capable of filling our rather empty hammer squad. Former Hamilton Tiger-Cats player and Canada West all star Jeff provided not only excellent performances but also a bit of needed size and intimidation to the team. At the varsity match Jeff was ready to show everyone what he was capable of. Hammer being the first event it was an ideal platform for his talents. Winning the event and throwing the blues distance for the first time was an ideal opener to the match.
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| Pete Cox |
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| Long Jump 6.88m, Shot Putt 15.11m, Discus 44.90m, Javelin 56.56m |
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The thought of what this man is capable of should strike fear into the hearts and minds of any Cambridge athlete. As former New-Zealand decathlon champion Pete follows in the footsteps of fellow international and decathlon champion Sean Gourley by coming to Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar. This year has unfortunately been very difficult for Pete as his intentions of attending the commonwealths were hampered by a serious Achilles injury. This injury, whilst preventing him from running and jumping (his main events), did not stop him from simply dominating the throws at both the FEAR match in March and the Varsity match in May. Winning the Shot, Discus and Javelin in both matches he showed that Cambridge had no one to match his calibre. I pity any Cambridge side that comes up against a fully fit Pete Cox. Despite being a truly fierce competitor he is always willing to lend a hand and is a genuinely thoughtful and kind man.
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| Oli Stogdale |
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| 110mh: 15.72s |
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Now one of the old guard of the team, Oli decided to increase he repertoire to include some of the longer hurdle disciplines, a decision which came at no small cost to his comfort during training. Throughout the year he was seen running long reps in the cold and wet with his typical expression of dogged determination etched on his face. His efforts were of course rewarded when on a cold and wet May morning at the County Champs Oli ran his first blues time in the 110m hurdles, an event which a week later he would be victorious in at the somewhat sunnier Varsity match. A true team player, Oli competed in a total of 4 events at the match and was still on form by the end of the dinner. Oli (and his slightly strange sense of humour) are sure to be missed next year.
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| Isaiah Adekanmbi |
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| 100m 10.77s |
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Isaiah stunned everyone with his first performance against Cambridge at the FEAR match in March. Running a staggering 6.90 seconds in the 60m he propelled himself to the top of the all time rankings for a distance he claims not to enjoy. The outdoor season saw more extraordinary performances from Isaiah where he consistently ran sub 11 seconds in the 100m and earned his blue by running 10.87 seconds in the heats of the BUCS championships. Come Varsity he was a force to be reckoned with but sadly due to illness was not at his best. This didn't stop him producing a spectacular first leg in the 4 by 100m leaving all around him for dead. A man who is always happy to help I am sure he will continue to impress and intimidate.
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| Will Hooton |
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| 400m 49.31s (i) |
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Squad leader for the long sprints, Will could always be counted on to bring a sense of purpose to most proceedings whether training or social occasions. He got his season off to a great start with some fantastic performances at the FEAR match. Following this up at the indoor BUCS competition he ran a long awaited blues time in the 400m heats, a time that would have seen him comfortably make the final. Will was unfortunate at the Varsity match to come up against Cambridge's international 400m runner. Despite this he competed with characteristic confidence and zeal.
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| Andy Heyes |
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| 1500m 3.46.9 |
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An excellent middle distance and cross-country runner, Andy really came alight this summer with some fantastic performances. Achieving a blue in perhaps the most prestigious event - the mile - is no small feat. Let alone doing it practically by yourself on the historic Sir roger Bannister track. With a lack of competition from the Cambridge side, Andy was forced to front run the 1609m race. It was a display of immense discipline and tact. Completing the final lap in under 60 seconds and watching the clock all the way down the final straight he achieved his blues time with less than a second to spare. Later in the season he continued to improve clocking 3:46.9 in the 1500m. Andy is an athlete who I feel confident will continue to impress in the years to come.
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| David Bruce |
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| 5000m 14.36.89, 3000m S/C 9.14.9 |
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Dave had been with both the athletics and cross-country clubs for many years now and continues to show himself as one of the most reliable men we have. His ability to double up in the longer distances proved invaluable at the Varsity match winning the Steeplechase and placing second behind Oxford's Luke Caldwell in the 5,000m, he raked in the points for us. With a BUSA medal and Blues in both cross-country and athletics to his name, he is a very talented guy. Dave now only has one more year in Oxford, it will be interesting to see how he finishes out his career here.
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| William Johnson |
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| Shot Putt 13.52m |
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Perhaps more noted in Oxford for his ability on the rugby pitch and his rather inexplicable ability to do the splits, Will has proved himself more than a competent member of the athletic community. His willingness to sacrifice other commitments to enable him to compete shows the character of this gentle giant. With a natural aptitude for the shot and an ingrained competitive streak Will was a dangerous asset at any competition.
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