The “stars” were shining yet again at the final State titles to be held for 2017-2018 for ANSW. Illawarra Blue Stars masters athletes kept the flag flying for the club when they took to the track at the Blacktown Centre to compete against the best Masters Aahletes in the state.
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Some of the club’s regulars at state were missing due to injury or other commitments including John Lamb, Lynda Douglas, Darren James and Geoff Hynoski, but the athletes who competed showed that the club has one of the strongest contingents of Masters athletes in the state.
Peter Shepphard made his comeback to the track at country, over the 100m, and tried his luck again at state only to pull up with a damaged hamstring. One of the quickest men around, he is also one of the unlucky ones when it comes to injury.
June Lowe stole the show again in another great all-round performance in both track and field. In the 60-64 age bracket she was 1st shot put, 1st long jump, 1st 60m, 1st hurdles, 1st high jump, 1st hammer, 1st javelin, 2nd weight throw, 3rd in the 100m and 2nd discus in what can only be described as a terrific performance.
Mary Thomas in the 70-74 age group followed on with another display of good all round throwing with 1st javelin, 1st shot, 1st discus, 1st weight throw, 1st hammer.
Sprinter Gianna Mogentale showed again her all round ability and stole the show with a gutsy 800m. Her performances ranged from the 60m right through to 800m in the 50/54 age group gaining 1st 800m, 1st 400m, 1st triple jump, 3rd 100m, 3rd 200m, 3rd 60m and 2nd long jump.
Sarah Guevara came up against the “young” masters but handled the competition well and recorded good placings in a highly competitive field in the 34-39 age group: 5th 100m, 5th 200m, 6th 60m, 4th high jump, 3rd long jump.
Rina Flynn had a good weekend and showed all the hard work is paying off with placings in the following 55-59 age group: 4th 100m, 4th 200m, 5th Shot, 3rd dicus, 4th 60m, 2nd 400m.
Heidi Smith followed on from Country and also showed all round ability from track to field and came away with a great weekend’s performance. In the 45-49 age group she was 2nd steeplechase, 3rd weight throw, 2nd 1500m, 4th hammer, 5th javelin and 1st in walk.
Dianne O’Toole is revelling in her comeback and showed that she is a force in her age bracket over the sprints in the 55-59 age group. She was 2nd 100m, 3rd 200m and 3rd 60m.
Our men were down a little on previous state masters but the star of the show was the great display of track running by David McCann. In the 50-54 age group he was 1st 100m, 1st 800m, 2nd 60m and 2nd 200m.
Colin Clarson supported well and he too showed his old form with good running in the shorter 400 right through to 1500m in the 50-54 age group. He was 3rd 800m, 2nd in 1500m and 5th in the 400m.
The performances of the masters were outstanding and some now look forward to their National titles to be held in late April.
IBS Juniors will take to the track this weekend for the most important event of this season, the Australian Youth Junior Championships to be held at Homebush. The club has strong representation after brilliant performances in state titles and coming through the qualifying process.
