IUAA INDOORS 2019 REPORT***

On Friday (8th February), the Ulster University Athletics team made up of 22 travelled to Athlone to compete in the 2019 IUAA Indoor Championships. Despite missing some athletes through injury, this was the largest team to travel to these championships since 2006.

In the sprint events, hurdler Niamh Malone started the medal count with a strong 3rd place finish in the 400m (57.66). Justin Bloomer, over the same distance recorded a 2nd PB in consecutive weeks recording 55.28 to place 6th in his heat. Craig Newell, disappointed to miss out on the 400m Final, stepped up last minute to the 200m and stormed home in 21.68 to retain his title and gain invaluable points for the team!
In the 60m, Caitlin Maguire continued her good form and took 4th place (7.75), narrowing missing out on a podium finish and was within 0.04 of her PB. There were PB performances for Tasha Afrifa (8.83), Ajith Joy (7.89) and Ausby Rodriguez (8.15) in the 60m heats and Aaron McKendry equalled his PB from last year, crossing the line in 7.20.
In the 60mH, Anna McIlmoyle ran a PB (9.78) for the first time in 2 years to finish a very encouraging 5th in the final. Lauren Hamilton, although carrying an injury, got to the line for 4th in her heat (12.01).

Anna, who was also competing in the High Jump, took bronze (1.60m) and was joined by teammate Emma McCay who grabbed silver with an =PB of 1.65m. In the Long Jump, we had several athletes compete for the first time in this event: Tasha Afrifa (4.08m), Aaron McKendry (5.61m) and Jack MacNeill (5.02m).

Points were also gained from the throws events with Sarah Woods throwing 4.99m in the women’s WFD for 6th place. Sarah returned in the Shot Putt to finish 8th with a best of 8.35m. In the men’s WFD, there were Top 8 finishes for Jack Magee (6th: 6.45m) and Conor McLoughlin (8th: 6.31m). Jack also completed the Shot Putt later in the day and finished 9th with 9.29m. He was joined by training partner Jack MacNeill who finished 10th (8.73m).

Katie Kirk, who has transferred from QUB continued her comeback with a very encouraging 3rd place in the 800m Final (2.16.28). Emma Hutchinson, in a tactical 800m heat finished 5th with 2.36.41. In the men’s race, Euan McConnell, ran a gutsy race in his first ever 800m, finishing 8th (without spikes) in 2.13.97. James Smyth and Rory Poag, in the men’s 1500m heats crossed the line in 4.28.49 and 5.02.06 (PB) respectively. James returned in the men’s 3000m to run 10.15.79 and was joined by newcomer Matthew Robinson in 10.19.67.

The 4×200m Relays concluded the day with the men’s team (Aaron McKendry, Justin Bloomer, Euan McConnell & Craig Newell) finishing 6th on times out of the 3 heats, with a noteworthy blistering anchor leg from Craig. The women’s team (Niamh Malone, Emma McCay, Emma Hutchinson & Caitlin Maguire) claimed the final UU medal of the day, finishing 3rd on times overall.

Ulster University Athletics matched last year’s medal count (6), and bettered our Top 8 finishes (13) and PBs (13) over the course of #iuaaindoors19 in what was a very successful and memorable day for the team finishing 7th out of the 20 Universities represented. We now turn our attention to #iuaaoutdoors19 in 8 weeks where we hope for more strong performances by our athletes 💪🏼 Well done to all! ⚡️

#ulsteruniathletics
#ProudofUU
#WeAreOne

Location

Athlone Institute of Technology