Victoria University student and cross-country champion Liam Adams, 23, was named Male Athlete of the Year at the 2008 Australian University Sport Awards held in Sydney on 18 May.
Australian University Sport represents more than one million students at 42 member universities, and is the country's peak body for university sport.
"This is the biggest award I've ever received. I didn't think I had any chance of winning it because I was up against athletes who had been to the Olympics," said Liam, who is in his second year of a Bachelor of Exercise Science (Human Movement) at Footscray Park Campus.
The award reflects the impressive performances and contributions the Moonee Ponds resident made to university sport in 2008.
In April, Liam took home a silver medal representing Australia at the World University cross-country championships in France, where he was also instrumental in securing a bronze medal for the cross country men's team.
On the back of earning gold in the 5000m, and silver in 10,000m events representing VU at the Australian University Games in September, Liam also took first place in the 10km event at the Australian University Distance Running Championships, held as part of the Melbourne Marathon in October.
For his outstanding achievements, Liam was named as VU's Male Athlete of the Year for 2008 at the University's annual Sport Awards Night in November. He was also awarded a 'Full Blue' in distance running, the peak recognition for VU athletes.
Liam is now busy preparing for the 2009 World University Summer Games to be held in Belgrade, Serbia from 1 - 12 July, where he will represent VU and Australia in the 5000m event.
Liam Adams
