News

La Trobe Elite Athlete Program caps off successful 2024 season

Published Wed 11 Dec 2024

From premierships and national squad selections to the successful completion of university studies, LEAP athletes enjoyed a productive final quarter to round out 2024.

The LEAP program is proudly supported by TechnologyOne, and helps to identify, promote and support the needs of elite athletes studying at university by providing them with assistance and support to successfully combine their academic and sporting pursuits . The value of combining sport and higher education is well recognised across the university and sporting sectors, which is why La Trobe is committed to helping elite athletes undertaking study with the University.

View the full list of LEAP athlete achievements in the fourth quarter of 2024 below:

  • Mia King: Won the AFLW Minor Premiership and AFLW Grand Final with her club, North Melbourne.

  • Laura Paeglis and Charlotte Sexton: Won the Coach Award at the 2024 VIS Awards of Excellence.

  • Tom Reynolds and Laura Paeglis: Won Sportspeople of the Year at the annual La Trobe University Blues Sport Awards.

  • Hannah Scott (Main Image): Participating in the U23s National Softball Championships and selected in the 2025 Australian Women's Softball Team.

  • Stephanie Dimovska: Won the Karate Victoria Top Gun Award.
  • Ben Cosgriff: Selected to represent Australia and La Trobe at the IWWF World University Water Ski Championships.
  • Lucia La Terra and Eva La Terra: Competed at the 2024 National Beach Volleyball Tour.
  • Skye Wallace: Podium finish at the 2XU Triathlon 2025 Series.
  • Ella Gurry: Represented Australia at the FISAF World Championships in Ghent, Belgium placing 3rd in the Adult International Grande section.
  • Sophie Kurzman: Named on the Emerging Jackaroos (Australian Underage Representative Team.
  • Luke Zeliff: Fastest Australian for 23/24 season in 500m & 1000m.
  • Sam Bartlett: Selected on the Australian Ice Hockey Team.
  • Caitlin Laird: Participating in the U23s National Softball Championships.
  • Tessa-Maree Wilkinson: Played in the CCM National Women's Ice Hockey Tournament, winning the grand final 1-0 and winning the award for most goals scored for the whole tournament.
  • Alison Weatherly: Competed at the Australian Para Nationals at Brighton and placed 1st Para, 1st open.
  • Bridey Lobb: 1st place at the Australian International Oireachtas.
  • Olivia Cartwright: Campaspe Region Triples Champion, Moama Club Singles Champion, Oceania Triples Gold medalist, Oceania Fours Silver medalist, Australian Representative at Oceania Challenge and Overall Oceania Challenge Champions.

The end of 2024 also marks an exciting period for 16 LEAP members who will soon graduate from La Trobe University. On behalf of the University community, La Trobe Sport congratulates our student athletes on successfully completing their academic studies and wishes them all the best for their future endeavours.

2024 La Trobe Elite Athlete Program Graduates:

Jessica

Mayne

Master of Exercise Physiology

Bendigo

Athletics

Richard

House

Bachelor of Health Sciences

Bundoora

Ballet

Evangelique

Kondovasis

Global Master of Business Administration

On-Line

Cheerleading

Po Ching

Pang

Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science

Bundoora

Taekwondo

Merryn

O'Keefe

Bachelor of Nutrition Science

Bundoora

Ice Skating

Keely

Boyne

Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science

Bundoora

Athletics

Sophie

Reinehr

Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science

Bundoora

Rowing

Lucy

Richards

Bachelor of Applied Science and Master of Physiotherapy Practice

Bundoora

Soccer

Meg

Williams

Bachelor of Education (Secondary)

Bendigo

Netball

Mathew

Nicholls

Bachelor of Education (Secondary)

Bundoora

AFL Umpire

Anastasia

Typou

Bachelor of Psychological Science

Bundoora

Taekwondo

Eliza

Connors

Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)

Bundoora

Athletics

Iman

Zayat

Bachelor of Psychological Science

Bundoora

Taekwondo

Carlos

Lai

Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science

Bundoora

Gymnastics

Rebecca

Bain

Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science

Bundoora

Athletics

Tess

Buckley

Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Medical)

Albury-Wodonga

Cycling

Loredana

D'Orazio

Master of Occupational Therapy Practice

Bundoora

Cheerleading

Tayah

O'Dell

Bachelor of Psychological Science with Honours

Bundoora

Swimming

Jamie

Cooksey

Diploma in Health Sciences

Bundoora

Cheerleading


Check out our 2024 LEAP quarterly recaps here - Q1Q2 Q3.

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