Varsity Athletics record holder Alan Cumming from NWU-Pukke said sharing the series title with UP-Tuks this year was a huge achievement for the university after falling short on numerous occasions in the past.
Cumming, who competed in his first Varsity Athletics meet in Stellenbosch, broke the record and claimed the Hammer Throw title in dramatic fashion with his last throw to pip UJ’s Christiaan Stebbing by 32cm.
“I was excited. It was my first time competing in Varsity Athletics and we drew with Tukkies so history has been made,” Cumming told varsitysportssa.com.
“It was a personal best for me as well so for my first year it is pretty good.”
With Stebbing seeming all set to take the win, Cumming said he started to believe in his own abilities and found something extra to give him the victory.
“He threw over 57m in the second round and I knew I could throw a 58. I went in and just quickly shut my eyes and asked the Lord to help me do this. My first few throws were a bit slow and I had to speed it up and when I did it felt good.
“It was straight through the middle and it landed on the 60m mark, but the markings were not correct so I knew I won the competition and it was great feeling,” said Cumming.
The burly athlete believes that sharing the overall title with UP-Tuks is not something they should be disappointed about, but instead see it as a victory.
“I won’t say sharing the title left a bitter feeling because it is the first time in our history that Pukke could win or at least share it.
“It was amazing, there was a great vibe between the athletes and everyone was excited to see that Tuks have not won it completely. We were actually more excited than them,” he said.
With Varsity Athletics now all done and dusted attention now turns to the USSA Championships, which is one of Cumming’s targets for another title this year.
“There were no big celebrations after Varsity Cup. The athletes are now focussed on the USSA Championships. I would like to win that.
“Then there is the Student Games. I don’t know the selection process, but I would like to be in that team as well. If not then I will just start practising for next season,” he added.
