Illawarra Blue Stars Masters athletes can finally say their summer season of 2016/-017 has finally finished. Due to the heat in Darwin, the Masters Australian titles were put back to June, but our members thrived on the conditions, and what an effort the nine members who competed put in.
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Star of the men’s has to be sprinter/hurdler John Lamb who has impressed in both hurdles and sprints. John captured 6 gold-60m, 100m, 200m, 400m, 100m hurdles and also 300m hurdles in a brilliant display at national level.
He was joined by club mate, Mick Daly who finished 6th in the 60m, 4th in the 100m, and 5th in the 200m. The women of IBS were once again outstanding with Mary Thomas and June Lowe bringing home most of the gold, Mary taking out the hammer, weight throw, javelin,discus,shot, throws pentathlon, and then added a second in the Champion of Champions Shot.
June Lowe, one of the best all round masters athletes also had a great championship with wins in the 80m hurdles, shot put, javelin, weight throw, throws pentathlon. She was not content with this great performance and added silver in the 60m, 100m, discus, hammer, and bronze in the high jump an Champion of Champion shot. These two ladies have dominated their events in their respective age brackets.
Sprinter Gianna Mogentale showed she is among the very best with a gallant win in the 400m, and a great 2nd in the 60m. She then backed this up with 4th in the 100 and 200m, against one of the classy female sprint fields of the meet. She also took out 2nd in the triple jump.
Lynda Douglas brought home 3 bronze medals with 3rd in the 60m, 100, 200m to add to her collection. Diane O’Toole returned to the track after a long absence and chose the National titles for her comeback. Competing in the same division as Lynda, she showed she will be a strong contender in next season’s sprints, by finishing in 5th in all three – 60m, 100 ,200.
The youngest member of the IBS team team Sara Guevara made her debut at National level and thrilled herself with 2nd in the 200m, 2nd in the 400m and 2nd in the long jump, to show she too will have improvement as we head into 2017-2018 summer season.
Rina Flynn concentrated on the 400 and 800m and finished 5th in both. All IBS members finished in the top 6 of each of their events, a remarkable achievement by the strong team of masters IBS athletes who took on the best in the land. They now all deserve a good rest before preparing for summer of 2017/2018. The final tally of medals does not include our members who took part in many of the NSW State relays in their respective ages over 4 x 100m and 4 x 400m.
Our cross-country members are flying the flag proudly and it is great to see them take on the long distance athletes in most of the association’s events. Geoff Hynoski is certainly doing well ,being placed in the individual point score through ANSW, a just reward for a very gusty determined athlete. Let’s hope he can maintain his form and go on and finish in the top bracket. The tough course at Cambewarra (Nowra ) on the weekend always tests the athletes out, but our members handled the course well and will only benefit from competing against the best cross country runners in the state.
It will be our chance to try out the new surface at the Kerryn McCann Athletic Centre, when Blue Stars conducts it first Winter Track and Field Meet for this winter season. Open to all athletes and potential athletes who wish to see how they are progressing, events will be held for all ages from under 8 right through to Masters men and women. Events will commence right on 10.30am on Sunday, June 25 and the only entry fee is the fee through Beaton Park. Ideal for school athletes preparing for carnivals, events will be held in sprints, middle distance, throws and jumps.
Entry is on the day anf more information can be sourced through the clubs web site wwwillawarrabluestars.com.au or by phoning 4262 8498.