UQ athletes claim Commonwealth Games gold

University of Queensland students and alumni have combined to win 12 medals at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games (4-15 April).

UQ Sporting Scholarship recipients Lakeisha Patterson and Dane Bird-Smith won three gold medals between them, with alumni Brenden Hall also claiming a gold.

A total of nine UQ-affiliated athletes clinched medals, which included five silver and three bronze.

UQ Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Joanne Wright said the University was very proud of those who competed at the Commonwealth Games.

“It’s an extraordinary achievement to be selected to represent Australia on the world stage,” Professor Wright said. 

“Regardless if they won a medal or set a personal best time, their dedication to training and hard work to achieve their dream of competing for Australia is an inspiration to us all.”   

Australia finished top of the medal tally with 198 medals, including 80 gold, 59 silver and 59 bronze.

2018 Commonwealth Games results:

Lakeisha Patterson: The Bachelor of Architectural Design student won two gold medals, adding to the bronze (Women’s S8 100m Freestyle) she won at Glasgow 2014. Lakeisha, an S8-classified Para athlete, competed up a division in the S9 100m Freestyle, touching ahead of England's Alice Tai and Australia’s Ellie Cole. The UQ Sporting Scholarship recipient also took victory in the S8 50m Freestyle, edging Canadian duo Morgan Bird and Abigail Tripp in a time of 30.14.

Dane Bird-Smith: The Bachelor of Health, Sport and Physical Education (Honours) student won a gold medal in the Men’s 20km Race Walk, taking victory in a Commonwealth Games record time of 1:19.34. Dane finished four seconds ahead of England’s Tom Bosworth, with Kenya’s Samuel Ireri Gathimba in third. Dane’s race-winning time was six seconds off his 20km personal best of 1:19.28.

Brenden Hall: The Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Sciences graduate added to his Glasgow 2014 bronze medal (Men’s S9 100m Freestyle) with gold and bronze medals on the Gold Coast. Brenden scored a thrilling victory in the 100m S9 Backstroke, leading home Australia teammates Timothy Hodge and Logan Powell. The three-time Paralaympic gold medal winner also clinched bronze in the 100m S9 Freestyle, finishing behind compatriot Tim Disken and England’s Lewis White.

Gabi Simpson:  The Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) student and UQ Sports Achievement Scholarship holder won a silver medal in Netball. England claimed a thrilling 52-51 victory over Australia in the gold medal match, after Helen Housby netted the winning goal in the final second of the match. Gabi, Australia’s vice-captain, played in all seven of the Diamonds’ matches.

Maddison Keeney: The Bachelor of Science graduate scored a silver medal in the Women’s 3m Springboard, narrowly missing out on gold to Canada’s Jennifer Abel by less than a point. Maddison, a silver (1m Springboard) and bronze (3m Synchronised) medallist at Glasgow 2014, also finished seventh alongside Anabelle Smith in the 3m Synchronised Springboard.

Emilee Cherry and Emma Sykes: The UQ Uni 7s teammates claimed a silver medal in Women’s Rugby Sevens following Australia’s 17-12 extra-time defeat to New Zealand in the gold medal match. Emilee, a Bachelor of Health, Sport and Physical Education graduate, scored two tries for the tournament – including a try in the final. Emma, a UQ Rugby Club member, scored a try in Australia’s 29-12 Pool B win over England, and kicked 10 conversions across the five games.

Danielle Prince: The Bachelor of Business Management student won her second-career Commonwealth Games medal, taking bronze for Australia in the Rhythmic Gymnastics Team event. Competing at her third Commonwealth Games – the most by a female Australian gymnast – Danielle also contested the Ball final, finishing in eighth position. The Clem Jones Sporting Scholarship holder won a gold medal in the Team competition at Delhi 2010.

Blake Cochrane: The 2009 UQ Blue recipient claimed a silver medal in the Men’s SM8 200m Individual Medley, and bronze in the SB8 100m Breaststroke. Blake won a bronze medal at both the 2010 Delhi and 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

Michael Mercieca: The Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) student represented Australia in the Men’s Artistic Gymnastics Team event, with the squad finishing fifth. Michael, a UQ Sports Achievement Scholarship recipient, also scored fifth place in the Men's Individual All-Around competition, missing a bronze medal by a mere 2.4 points.

Caitlin Sargent-Jones: The Bachelor of Physiotherapy graduate represented Australia in the Women’s 4x400m Relay, finishing fifth in the final. The result follows a fourth place finish in the same event at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

Brittany McGowan: The Bachelor of Journalism graduate missed the final of the Women’s 800m, finishing fourth in her heat and 13^th overall. Gold Coast was Brittany’s second Commonwealth Games after she competed in the same event at Glasgow 2014.

Media: Jamie Mitchell, UQ Sport, JamieM@uqsport.com.au, 0423 785 752; Belinda McDougall, UQ Communications, communications@uq.edu.au, 07 3346 7890.