A TEESSIDE student stormed his way into the history books after winning the British University indoor 3000 metre title for the third consecutive year in Sheffield on Sunday.

Ricky Stevenson, who is on the elite athlete scheme at the University, hit the front from the gun with a relentless exhibition of front running but didn’t have it all his own way and had to fight off the challenge of the gutsy Dan Mulhare of Edinburgh to win in 8 minutes 4 seconds.

Despite retaining his title again and capping off a fantastic winter season, which has included a top ten placing at the European Championships and a sub 4-minute mile in New York, Stevenson wasn’t completely satisfied.

He said: “I was pleased to go and defend my title for Teesside University but I had a few problems on Saturday night which possibly hampered my performance.

“I felt bad out there and wasn’t myself but not racing was never an option.

“It’s special stepping out on to the track and thinking, that’s my title and nobody else is having it!”

Not to be outdone, Teesside’s Johnny Taylor turned the 1500 metre race into a one-man show crossing the line in 3minutes 46seconds, setting a new championship record.

The victory was never in doubt for Taylor who had opened up a 10metre lead after just one lap, going through 400 metres in 56 seconds which is 1500 metre world record pace!

It was a third British University 1500 metre gold for Taylor and the ideal way to cap off his final year as a student.

Johnny said: “I am happy that I won my third BUCS title over 1500metres and broke the championship record, but there is always room for improvement, and I hope to improve a lot over the summer season”

“I planned on getting out of my comfort zone out there and going for it, but my pace judgement wasn’t the best and cost me a faster time.”

Stacey Smith had got the ball rolling for Teesside with a silver medal in the women’s 1500 metres.

Smith had stepped up a distance after winning the 800metre gold last year and wasn’t far away from repeating the feat in the metric mile.

The outdoor national champion followed every move at the front of the field but fell just short over the final stages being beaten to the line by Birmingham’s Alison Leonard.

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