Illawarra Blue Stars athletes off to national youth titles
The hurdling sisters Ashlyn and Grace Adams have made sure of their spot on the NSW team for the National Youth Titles after their great personal bests in their respective ages. Competing in the NSW Youth titles, Ashlyn took out 3rd in the 90m hurdles in 13.20, then backed up in the 100m final to gain 8th overall, only 1/100 outside the qualifying for the flat 100m. Ashlyn made sure of her selection with another personal best in the 200m hurdles to take out the silver medal.
Sister act: Grace and Ashlyn Adams are now off to the National Youth Championships after both recorded personal bests in their age bracket hurdles.
Older sister Grace recorded a solid personal best time of 13.94 over the 100m hurdles to take the silver medal in the under 18 division, her first time under the 14sec mark. She too then qualified for the final of the women's 100m flat under 18 taking out 7th spot. Grace then moved on to the 200m and made the final of the women's under 18, for the first time in a final of the 200m.
Emma Matthews can also pack her bag for the national titles after a gutsy run in the women's under 17 100m, recording a very quick 12.39 to be placed 5th in one of the highly contested women's 100s of the meet.
High jumper and newcomer to senior athletics Grace Shaw is one happy jumper with a bronze medal in under 18s at state titles to add to her country win in both under 18 and open jumps. She can now pack her bags for national titles, and was quick to convey her willingness to take part, a top effort for an athlete who virtually has just come into senior athletics.
Jonti Faulkner can be proud of his effort in the men's under 18 100m, another quality field of some of the best junior sprinters in the land. Faulkner ran a personal best legal 100m to record 11.39 in his heat and then progressed to the final to take out 7th overall in his first attempt at State Youth Titles.
Andrew Lau was a busy man in the men's under 18 division taking out 5th in the triple jump, 4th in hammer, 4th in shot and also running the 400m and 200m. No medals but he can be proud of his all-round effort. Andrew added the discus to his efforts and finished a strong 8th, showing his all round ability in a variety of events.
Charlotte Smith, 13, hit national broadcasting when she was selected to be on Sunrise to promote the titles and did an excellent media job at such a young age. She then took to the track and came in 5th in the girls under 15 javelin, moving up to a heavier weight to what she has been using.
Hurdler/sprinter Abby Cox also moved into “senior" athletics and handled the situation well to record a personal best time over the 100m. She was also hurdling well until a little mishap that pushed her out of contention, but a great effort for her first year attempt at ANSW Youth titles.
Corey Williams also contested the Youth titles, competing under Blue Stars colours for the first time. In the under 20 men's 100m, Corey ran a solid 11.47, but he had to miss his favourite event, the long jump due to university commitments. Moving from Ulladulla to Wollongong over the last week did not help his preparation, but he is a talent in both events and one to be watched in future.
Lachlan Parry and Kyle Grubnic were happy to be received as entries in the “star studded men's open 100ms held at the Sydney Track Classic. Viewed as a lead into the Australian open titles, the 100m was billed as one of the best events on the meet, and with such a field it was great to see two of our local IBS sprinters make the starting list. Parry ran a solid 10.9 on the eve of the men's open state titles but Grubnic was a little unlucky to pull up with a groin strain, an injury he is hoping to be over come state title events.
Blue Stars have announced they will continue Summer competition each Sunday until March 17 but have announced a later meet on Sunday, April 7. This meet is designed to assist athletes preparing for Australian titles and will include a morning of sprints and throws with a 60m, 100m, 200m and shot, hammer and javelin. A cross-country event will be held outside Beaton Park starting at 10.30am then onto the track for the track events. Open to all ages and male and female athletes, this meet will cater for many who are seeking competition on the back end of the summer competition. See website illawarrabluestars.com for more information.