Triathlete Abbie Thorrington scooped one of the top awards at the University of Essex 31st Sports Award Dinner.

While there was loud appreciation as the Cheerleaders were named Club of the Year at the event held at Copdock.

Cheerleading won the award in recognition of the service provided to its members and for its success in winning the British Cheerleading Association National University competition.

The Basketball side were awarded Team of the Year for winning their BUSA (British Universities Sports Association) division with seven wins, and only one defeat.

The team also reached the final of the BUSA shield where they were narrowly beaten by Bradford University.

Abbie Thorrington won the Director of Sport Award for her achievements at national level in Triathlon.

In her first year she won the National Junior Triathlon title and in her second year won the BUSA triathlon and Cyclo-cross championships.

She has accumulated four BUSA individual titles plus three second places and a team gold in her time at Essex.

She is also one of Sport England's sporting champions and is aiming to represent her country in the 2012 games.

The dinner recognizes the achievements of final year students who have made an outstanding contribution to Sport at Essex.

Eight students received Exceptional Service to Sport awards, and 64 students received full colours which recognize sporting performance.

A further five students, David Coates (Wakeboarding), Lynne Pestle (Netball), Jay Smith and Robbie Whitely (Football), and Abbie Thorrington (Triathlon) receivied Outstanding Sporting Achievement awards for playing at representative/national level.