Congratulations to Newcastle Students Striving to Win at the Commonwealth Games

Thursday 23 March 2006

Newcastle students have been cheered on to success in their efforts to win gold at the Commonwealth Games.

Rosemary Haywood, completing her final year in a double degree, the Bachelor of Teaching/Bachelor of Health and Physical Education made it through to the semi-finals of the women's 400 metres having qualified with the quickest heat time run by an Australian.

Rosemary, 25, from Toukley, is being enthusiastically supported by four friends and fellow students - her very own cheer squad. They are Amie Jacklin, Rebekah Barber, Michelle O'Mahony and Mark Reynolds, all in the same year and the same degree program as Rosemary.

As she ran down the straight, her friends cheekily let her know they were cheering her on with the cry of "Rosie, Rosie, Rosie, oi, oi, oi".

Her Games effort don't stop there. She will also compete in the 4x400m relay later in the week.

Also running his hardest is Heath Francis, 23, from Booral, currently completing a commerce/business degree. Known as the 'Booral Bullet', Heath is tipped to win gold in the T46 200 metres final at the Melbourne Games. After having won three gold medals at the Sydney Paralympics in 2000, he keen to feel the thrill of winning again.

Michael Brown, a fourth year Bachelor of Surveying student, is part of the Australian 50 metre rifle 3 position pairs that secured a silver medal. The event which saw India secure the gold medal, was exciting to say the least with Michael recording a perfect 100 score in the final round to edge out England for second place.

Another fourth year student, Christie Dawes, completing her studies in a double degree - Bachelor of Teaching/Bachelor of Early Childhood Teaching - is competing in the 800 metre race. The popular wheelchair athlete has been training hard as well as concentrating on her final year studies.

Then there's Benn Harradine who qualified for the discus final with just one single throw. Benn, 23, who, like Rosemary, is a Bachelor of Teaching/Bachelor of Health and Physical Education student, achieved a 59.70m throw to qualify.

Everyone at the University congratulates Rosemary, Christie, Heath, Michael and Benn on their efforts and is immensely proud of their success. Well done!