A Marathon double has crowned a remarkable eleven days for Griffith students, staff and alumni competing at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018).
Team Griffith ended a spectacular 11 days of sporting competition with a glittering haul of 23 gold, seven silver and 10 bronze medals. The 40 medal total surpasses the 22 medals (10 gold, five silver and seven bronze) won in Glasgow four years ago.
On the final day of GC2018, brilliant and courageous performances in searing temperatures by defending gold medalist Michael Shelley and Rio silver medalist Madison de Rozario secured two memorable triumphs at the end of the 42km Marathon course.
Michael Shelley (right), a 34-year-old Bachelor of Business graduate, took out the Men’s event in dramatic fashion. The Gold Coast local capitalised when race leader Callumn Hawkins collapsed in the April heat less than a kilometre from the finish line.
Bachelor of Business student Madison de Rozario, who had claimed gold earlier in the week in the Women’s T54 (Wheelchair) 1500m, confirmed her pedigree with a powerhouse finish to the Women’s T54 (Wheelchair) Marathon. She had 13 seconds to spare over Australian teammate Eliza Ault-Connell.
"This is my first Commonwealth Games and to do it in front of a home crowd has been unreal."
We've loved every second of your efforts at #GC2018, 🇦🇺 @madiderozario! Enjoy it.#GC2018 #ShareTheDream pic.twitter.com/AaeE2xpuZv
— 7CommGames (@7CommGames) April 14, 2018
The wins provided a fitting finale to a great event, which was officially presented by Griffith University, and where Chancellor of Griffith University, Henry Smerdon AM DUniv, presented the medals to the winners in the Women’s Marathon.
Elsewhere on the final day, Bachelor of Education graduate, Shannon Parry, and Bachelor of Business student, Georgina Friedrichs, had to settle for silver after New Zealand won an epic Women’s Rugby Sevens Final at Robina Stadium. The cliffhanger went to extra-time after the sides were tied at 12-12 at the end of normal time, only for New Zealand to win sudden death with an energy-sapping breakout try.
While Shannon and Georgina had the honour of collecting Team Griffith’s final two medals of GC2018, it fell to Master of Financial Planning student Jesse Wagstaff to win the group’s 23rd and final gold. The 31-year-old lined out with a dominant Boomers team which overpowered Canada 87-47 in the Men’s Basketball Final at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Team Griffith
Current Students: Matthew Hauser (triathlon), Madison de Rozario (wheelchair athletics), Domonic Bedggood (diving), Tejaswinin Williamson (diving), Jesse Wagstaf (basketball), Brandon Wakeling (weightlifting), Stephanie Morton (cycling), Sara Tait (para triathlon), Jessica Ashwood (swimming), Georgia Bohl (swimming), Shayna Jack (swimming), Cameron McEvoy (swimming), Emma McKeon (swimming), Kiah Melverton (swimming), Leiston Pickett (swimming), Zac Stubblety-Cook (swimming), Matthew Denny (athletics), Riley Day (athletics), Liam Hunter (swimming), Skye Nicolson (boxing), John Lane (decathlon), Kelsey Cottrell (lawn bowls), Paul Adams (shooting), Georgina Friedrichs (rugby sevens).
Alumni: Michael Shelley (marathon), Shannon Parry (rugby sevens), Ash Gentle (triathlon), Deborah Acason (weightlifting), Katrin Garfoot (cycling), Chloe Hosking (cycling), Jake Fehlberg (lawn bowls, vision impaired), Tegan Napper (weightlifting), Murray Goodwin (athletics), Jordyn Holzberger (hockey), Sam Seghers (swimming), Michael Hosking (athletics).
Staff: Andrea Hams (weightlifting), Michael Bohl (swimming, coach).
Griffith Swimming Club: Madeline Groves, Grant Irvine, David McKeon.