The Australian National University (ANU) Annual Blues were awarded on Thursday 4 May to students, club members and administrators for their excellence and contribution to sport & recreation during the 2016 calendar year. A total of 37 awards were presented across 15 sports.

A Blue is the highest sporting accolade that can be awarded to a student athlete at The ANU and is awarded to sports men and women in recognition of their outstanding sporting achievements and for enhancing the reputation of University Sport.

Additionally, students and club members were presented with Half Blues, Peter McCullagh Achievement Awards and perpetual trophies for their outstanding sporting accomplishments in 2016.

The overarching theme of the Blue Awards is to recognise outstanding achievements and the diversity of sporting opportunities at The ANU. Vice-Chancellor, Professor Brian Schmidt AC spoke of how “sport brings communities together”. Professor Schmidt reminisced on his experience with sport whilst at university and how important the values of loyalty, determination and passion are in producing well-rounded graduates. “Sport should form an important part of our collegiate and educational life”.

The prestigious Sport Star of the Year was this year awarded to rower and Engineering student Luke Letcher. Luke had a big year on the water in 2016, wearing ANU, ACT and Australian colours.

In March, Luke claimed Gold medals in the Double and Quad Sculls and a Silver in the Single Scull at the U23 Australian Rowing Championship. This achievement was later surpassed in September as Luke was part of the Australian Men’s Quad Scull that won Gold at the World U23 Rowing Championships in Rotterdam. Current ANU student and Blue recipient, Caleb Antill, was also a member of the Australian team that claimed Gold ahead of New Zealand and Italy.

Letcher capped off a great year of results by winning three Gold medals at the Australian University Games in Perth representing ANU – making him the equal most successful ANU athlete at the Games in The ANU’s 50-year involvement. Luke is also a recipient of a Full Blue award for his outstanding achievements.
Luke briefly spoke with MC, David Pembroke, after receiving the award. He acknowledged that there were a number of accomplished athletes at ANU and felt privileged to have received the award. Luke’s sights are now set on achieving selection in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics team. “I am currently on the senior Australian team for the men’s double scull for this year’s World Cup. It’s important to perform well and maintain my position.”

Another notable award winner was Badminton player, Anthony Joe. Anthony had a stellar year on the circuit which included a Gold medal in the mixed team event at the Oceania Team Championships, winning the men’s singles at the Australian National Championship and earned a Top 3 Australian ranking in the men’s singles.

ANU Sport and Recreation President, David Luchetti, praised the outstanding achievements of students, club members and volunteers alike. He spoke of the broad range of sporting endeavours coupled with a diversity of academic disciplines. “Recognition of these student athletes is essential to enhancing the reputation the University.”

Finally, ANU Sport would like to thank sponsors The Coffee Grounds and contentgroup for supporting the evening and another high-performing year of sport and recreation at The ANU.

The outstanding achievements and contributions of each of the award winners can be found in the full program here:

 

 

The full list of award winners can be seen below:

Full Blue

Anthony Joe                            Badminton
Benjamin Freeman                Swimming
Uyen Ha                                   Freestyle Wrestling
Caleb Antill                              Rowing
Luke Letcher                           Rowing
Cara Grzeskowiak                  Rowing

 

Half Blue

Alexander McKenzie             Hockey
David McManus                     Ultimate Disc
Georgie Psaltis                       Sailing
Jacqueline Williams              Dragon Boating
Jamie Hawke                          Touch Football
Jenna Freeman                      Swimming
Joanna Collis                          Netball
Lucy Price                                Rowing
Stephanie Freeman               Taekwon-Do
Thomas Brereton                    Taekwon-Do
Victoria Wang                          Badminton
James Mortensen                   Quidditch
Shu Ying Lee                           Quidditch
Oscar Cozens                          Quidditch
William Clark                            Rowing

Peter McCullagh Achievement Award

Angela Mitchell                        Hockey
Jackson Williams                     Cycling
Kathryn Ross                            Rowing
Renae Domaschenz               Rowing
Tim Banks                                 Hockey

Indigenous Sporting Award

Stephanie Pollard                    Athletics

Outstanding Athlete with a Disability Award

Shu Ying Lee                           Quidditch

Club of the Year Award

ANU Boat Club 

Small Club of the Year Award

ANU Taekwon-do Club 

 

Most Improved Club of the Year Award

ANU Cycling Club

Team Performance of the Year Award

ANU Rowing Mixed Four

Breakthrough Performance of the Year Award

Uyen Ha Freestyle                    Wrestling

Club Athlete of the Year

Victoria Wang                             Badminton

Club Team of the Year

ANU Owls Quidditch Team

Coach of the Year

Renae Domaschenz                  Rowing

Volunteer of the Year

Guy Pedashenko                        Taekwon-Do

Best Individual Performance

Anthony Joe                                 Badminton

 

Sport Star of the Year

Luke Letcher                                Rowing