Macquarie University Sports Scholar

Macquarie University Sports Scholar Eliza Stewart has been selected in the Australian team for the World University Cross Country Championships.

 

 

 

This will be the second time Stewart, the women's national under-23 cross country champion, has competed at the meet. At the previous Championships, held in Algeria in 2006, she was the first Australian female to cross the finish line. Coming in 23rd overall, her time was less than two minutes behind the winner.

This year, in spite of having to overcome some serious injuries, she says she is aiming to finish in the top 10.

"The last two years have been challenging but very rewarding in terms of the wealth of knowledge and maturity gained from the numerous hurdles I have encountered along the way. I suffered two stress fractures within the space of four months in my pelvis which was both emotionally and physically challenging. I was fortunate however to be surrounded by the fantastic support of friends, family and specialist staff who have helped me come back physically stronger and hungrier for success."

This year's Championships are being held on 6 April in Mauquenchy, France. And with just over six weeks to go before she tackles the challenging 6.5 kilometre course, Eliza is combining hard training with the beginning of her final year of undergraduate study.

As a sports scholar, the third year Bachelor of Environmental Science student is able to balance her academic studies with training and international travel due to the generous funding and support her Macquarie University Sport Scholarship provides her.

Scholarships, which are offered to elite athletes across a variety of sports, provide students with financial assistance for educational or sporting expenses, academic counseling and liaison, personal development workshops and tutorials, access to sport and recreation facilities, and additional funding for competition.

In 2007, Macquarie awarded sports scholarships to 40 student athletes, including swimmer Grant Brits, a world and Australian record holder; runner Joel Milburn, who recently won the 400m title at the NSW Championships; and Jennifer Purcell, who is ranked in the top five nationally in judo.