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Triathlete is USC’s Sportsperson of the Year
Studying human movement as part of a Bachelor of Science Honours degree at the University of the Sunshine Coast has given Eudlo triathlete Brodie Gardner a distinct edge over many of his rivals.
Brodie, 24, used his knowledge to push himself to 7th at the Australian University Championships at Mooloolaba in March and to 8th in the hotly-contested 20-24 age group at the Triathlon ITU World Championship at Budapest, Hungary, last month.
His world titles result was 22 places better than last year, an achievement he puts down to more experience and training, and a better understanding of training loads and recovery times through his study of biomechanics.
Brodie was named USC’s Sportsperson of the Year at the University’s annual Sports Award Ceremony today and he received the University’s only “Full Blue” award for 2010.
USC holds the ceremony to reward students who excel at state, national and international sporting events with “Half Blues” and “Full Blues”, as has been the tradition in many universities since the 19th century.
Three of the six “Half Blues” presented today went to surf sports stars Amy Thompson of Alexandra Headland, Allira Richardson of Maroochydore and Ben Hepburn of Currimundi, all of whom claimed medals at the recent world lifesaving championships at Alexandria, Egypt.
“Half Blues” also went to champion heptathlete and hurdler Shayleigh Gould of Buderim, rugby league player Tommy Butterfield of Kippa-Ring and cyclist Christian Manuzio of Germany.
USC’s Mixed Touch team, which won bronze at the Australian University Games in Perth last month, won the Team of the Year trophy, while Matthew Bousson of Sippy Downs collected a special “USC Green” award for his voluntary efforts in preparing USC’s touch teams for competition throughout 2010.
A Continued Excellence award went to Buderim triathlete Chloe Turner who was USC’s Sportsperson of the Year in 2009.
MC for the awards event was 2004 and 2006 world surf ironwoman champion Kristy Munroe who graduated from USC with a Bachelor of Business in 2006.
Paralympic swimmers Marakye Jonkers and Professor Brendan Burkett, and USC’s Senior Lecturer in Nutrition and Dietetics Dr Fiona Pelly were guest speakers.
— Terry Walsh