Torrential rain and storms greeted masters athletes on their first day of competition at Homebush on Friday so events were postponed to the Saturday and athletes were greeted with two beautiful days for track and field State titles.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Illawarra Blue Star masters athletes were very prominent and certainly brought home a bag of medals and a pending state record. Dominant on the track was 55/59-year-old Gianna Mogentale, who carried on from her country titles to bring home gold in the 60m, 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m and triple jump, and silver medals in the long, and high jump. She also created a new state masters record in the 100m and is now waiting ratification.
Mary Thomas returned to the track with a great display of courage and determination after a recent operation. She brought home gold in the women’s 70 plus javelin, discus, hammer, weight throw and shot. All rounder June Lowe showed why she is classed as one of the best all rounders with wins in the 60/64 age bracket in the high jump, hammer, hurdles, shot, javelin and long jump, and was placed 2nd in the 60m sprint, 100m and in the weight throw. Her second in the sprints did not go outside Blue Stars with the winner being club mate Diane O’Toole who took both short sprints and then added the 200m to give her the trifecta.
Long jumper/sprinter Sara Guevara added the state title to her country championship 40/44 long jump when she took out gold in a personel best jump. She then competed well in the short sprints taking 4th in the 60m, 100m and 200m. Rina Flynn fought out the finish in the women’s 55/59 400m to take the bronze medal, just being nudged out of 2nd placing. She also ran well in the 100m to gain 4th and 200m to take out 4th also.
Colin Clarson flew the flag for the IBS men due to others having commitments or injuries. Colin had one of the hardest age brackets over all distances, but showed sheer determination and courage against some of the best sprinters and middle distance male athletes in Australia. He finished a good 4th in the 1500m, 7th in the 100m, and was just outside the medals in the 400m, 200m and 800m. Total number of gold medals at NSW Masters titles: 21 with 5 silver and 1 bronze, an outstanding effort against all masters clubs within NSW.
Blue Stars members can be very proud of their performance in the recent Country Championships held at Glendale, Newcastle, but it is the pleasing all around result that has the club buzzing and acknowledging the members teamed together for a great all round result. The Hooper Trophy for Most points Scored went to the very large Mingara club, followed by Newcastle Hunter (2nd) Coffs Harbour 3rd and Illawarra Blue Stars in 4th spot. Out of 58 clubs competing in country this is a fine result and an indication of true team spirit considering the amount of athletes who could not take part. Well done Blue Stars, a top effort.
Divisional break up is listed
Under 14 men---17th
Under 15 girls---11th
Under 17 girls---5th
Under 17 men---5th
Under 18 women---4th
Under 18 men---3rd
Under 20 women---2nd
Open women---2nd
Open men---1st
40/49 women---5th
40/49 men---9th
50 plus women---3rd
60plus men---2nd
