Illawarra Blue Star athletes will be heading to Adelaide for the Australian All Schools where they will take on school athletes in an event that brings together the cream of junior athletics. Some have just missed out but they will all have second chances when the contest their junior state titles later in February with a chance to contest the Australian Youth Titles.
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The young athletes of today have so many opportunities to gain state selection in state teams but this team for Adelaide brings together athletes who are not necessarily connected with a club. Many athletes, after their performances in this meet then decide on joining clubs and it is from this event that many junior star athletes emerge.
But is it not all about winning, it is taking part in the biggest athletic event for secondary school athletes and certainly gives the athlete a chance to guide how they are performing against the best. Many friendships are formed from this meet, and the desire to continue in the sport is also encouraged by people taking part in a variety of events.
IBS athletes have performed well and three have now gained selection in the state team. Grace Adams, Jye Shumack and Nicholas Horton can all pack their bags with impressive performances in the NSW All Schools, held at Homebush last week. Marie Louise Meier just missed the cut when she gained 3rd in her discus (only two go) but is optimistic of her chances come the state under 20 titles later in February. With HSC taking preference her place in the team would have been probable but it is great to see this young talent back on the track.
Grace Adams had a great meet and her move into 400m in a higher age bracket (16yrs 400h) shows she is not afraid to take on a challenge. She finished a great 5th in this event, but it was her 90m hurdles 2nd placing and 2nd in the 200m hurdles that gained state selection.
The club’s male high jumpers dominated the men’s 17yrs with Nicholas Horton clearing 1.98m to take the gold, with clubmate Jye Shumack finishing in 2nd with 1.95m. Hortan backed this up with 3rd in the 110m hurdles.
Emma Matthews had a top meet with 12th in the 400m 15yrs, 9th in the 100 and 8th in the 200m.
Jonti Faulkner was an unlucky man just missing the final of the men’s 15yrs 400m taking out an overall placing of 10th, and then backed this up with an 18th spot in the highly contested men’s 100m.
Margo Chauvet was also a little unlucky but good to see her back on the track with a 13th spot in the women’s 15 yrs 400m.
Ashlyn Adams recorded a PB in the 80m hurdles 13yrs with a solid 4th position and then ran into 11th spot in the 200m hurdles, whilst Grace Meier took out 10th in the 16yrs discus and 9th in the hammer.
Grace Wray also returning to IBS ran a personel best in her 14yrs 800 finishing in 14th spot whilst twin sister Eve took out 22nd spot in the 14 yrs girls 400m.
Overall the performances were very solid and exciting and with the success of our primary school athletes in the state titles, junior athletics looks very strong.
Athletes will now look forward to the state relays to be held on the 4th and 5th November with the club having teams in a variety of age brackets.
