The 2018 university athletics season concluded with the LUCA awards.
Athletes and volunteers from across the LUCA community came to Bush House to celebrate the achievements across a record breaking year. In a season which witnessed the biggest ever Indoor and Outdoor championships, there was always going to be a lot to celebrate.
The evening was hosted by Alex and Hamish Mundell, who provided laughs, recaps of the year’s highlights and a few cheeky sips of whiskey during acceptance speeches.
This year, the awards included the inaugural induction to the Hall of Fame. This new award is LUCA’s highest award category and is reserved for those who have demonstrated significant and outstanding achievements or effort in London university athletics. UCL alumni and chairman of the LUCA Cross-Country League (formerly, the LCL), Jonny Laybourn was honoured with being inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Laybourn has been a long serving secretary to the league and oversaw the transition of the league into LUCA. He has been a stalwart of university athletics and an accomplished runner with Highgate Harriers. Laybourn used his acceptance speech to dedicate the award to the late Mike Baggs – the longest serving secretary to the LCL.
Recognising athletic achievement
A strong focus of the awards is recognising the best and most improved athletes across the LUCA community. With a plethora of championship records and personal bests, this was the most competitive LUCA awards since the organisation was founded three years ago. Daniel Cork (RVC) won best male athlete of the year. Cork had won three gold medals across the season (indoor and outdoor shot put and hammer) and a silver medal in the discus. He also placed fourth in the shot at BUCS Outdoor. And when he’s not throwing things, you may find him at the high jump area, clearing the bar in 1.60m!
King’s Sprint Captain, Chloe Hocking won best female athlete of the year. Hocking took five gold medals across the season (100m, 200m, 4X100, 4X200 and 4X400) and two silver (400m indoor and outdoor). She also helped to lead her club to Outdoor Series success – the highest performing squad at King’s was her sprint squad.
Meanwhile, Andres Chau (UCL) won most improved male on the same night he was also elected LUCA Vice President. Angharad Flower (UCL) won most improved female.
Celebrating volunteers
Awards were also given to individuals that helped to better their club and the wider LUCA community. Harry Browning (KCL) won President of the Year for leading King’s Athletics to record membership, an expansion in training opportunities and wining the Outdoor Series. Coach of the Year went to Byron Robinson (KCL) after a tribute from the newly crowned LUCA Outdoor Series ‘MVP’, Kerstin Pohlman.
For his hard work in leading UCL’s coach to 5K, Alfie Duffen won the Widening Participation award. Duncan Hunter (ICL) won volunteer of the year for his leadership and volunteer efforts with the XC League.
In terms of club recognition, Imperial and Thames Valley Harriers won best club partnership. UCL won Club of the Year for the second year in a row.
Full Results
Club of the Year
UCL
President of the Year
Harry Browning (King’s)
Female Athlete of the Year
Chloe Hocking (King’s)
Male Athlete of the Year
Daniel Cork (RVC)
Most Improved Female
Angharad Flower (UCL)
Most Improved Male
Andres Chau (UCL)
Best Club Partnership
Imperial College / Thames Valley Harriers
Outstanding Contribution
Jack Dickenson (St George’s)
Volunteer of the Year
Duncan Hunter (ICL)
Widening Participation
Alfie Duffen (UCL)
Coach of the Year
Byron Robinson (King’s)
