This year, the nation’s students are congregating on Lake Wyaralong in Queensland for the Australian Unisport Nationals. This regatta provides an opportunity to see some of the best young athletes battle it out for their institutions. It is always a testament to their commitment, with all of them balancing both studies and training. This year’s women’s single scull includes several state and national representatives, so it is sure to be an exciting competition.
Total Entries – 15
Alice Macready – University of Sydney
A first-year student at the university, studying Biomedical Engineering, Macready hails from Newcastle Grammar School, where, as the school’s co-captain of boats, she formed part of the NSW school’s pathway squad, and was a recipient of the Commonwealth Games NSW Athlete Grant. Macready has made a significant impact as a rising athlete, coming third in the women’s U21 single scull at the national championships, in addition to winning silver in the U21 coxed four, and gold in the club eight.
Sophia Wightman – University of Sydney
Also studying biomedical engineering in Sydney, Wightman originates from Brisbane, where she rowed at St Margaret’s Anglican School. Since then, her rise has been rapid in both flat water and coastal rowing, with several international appearances. Wightman competed in the single at the 2021 U19 World Rowing Championships, the U21 quad scull in 2023, and the women’s double at the 2024 World University Championships, in addition to several national titles, winning the U23 quad sculls this year and the U21 single in 2023. In the single this year, Wightman won bronze in the U23 at nationals. Wightman continues representing Queensland in interstate competition and is currently part of the Australian Coastal Mixed Quad Sculls.
Zara Lavery – University of Melbourne
Currently studying a Bachelor of Science, Lavery is yet another rising star in this year’s lineup. A Wesley College graduate, winning the APS Head of the River in 2021, their first since 1987, she has been very busy since, joining the national U19 team that year, winning national titles that year and in 2023, in addition to winning the Trans-Tasman Regatta as part of the U21 team also in 2023. Lavery has given a powerful performance this year, winning the pair and double at the Victorian championships, and a slew of medals at nationals, with silver in the open four, U23 pair and U23 eight, as well as gold in the open eight, all in addition to competing at the U23 World Rowing Championships in the four.
Conclusion and Prediction
1st – Sophia Wightman – University of Sydney
2nd – Zara Lavery – University of Melbourne
3rd – Alice Macready – University of Sydney
I could easily have written bios about most of this year’s competitors, with almost all the competitors bringing significant experience to an exciting field. I can see University of Adelaide scullers, Anya Felderhof and Caroline McNally being in the fight, and Ellora Kelly and Emma O’Neill of the University of Western Australia. It is also difficult to judge due to the significant age difference across the athletes, as it is a student event. However, with the weight of age and international experience, I think Wightman and Lavery will be the forerunners, with Wightman coming out on top, especially off her performance at the nationals.
