Masters athletes returned home from the national championships to see their performances taken into account for major awards at Illawarra Blue Stars Annual Presentation Awards.
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Sprinter Gianna Mogentales won all her events, 60m, 100m, 200m, 400m, triple jump and pentathlon and broke the state record and Australian record in the 60m and state and Championship record in the 100m. She then took out the pentathlon in a state record, and also added the state record for the long jump whilst competing in the pentathlon.
After her efforts at country and state titles, she was given the award of Outstanding Athletic Performance. She added the Female Sprinter of the Year sharing with up-and-coming state rep hurdler, Ashlyn Adams, who has proven she is among the best juniors in the land over both short and long hurdles.
Male sprinter Lachlan Parry was chosen the Male Sprinter of the Year and teamed with club mates, Chris Devery, Kyle Grubnic, Cameron Chisolm to take out the Most Outstanding Athletic Performance for their runs in the state open men's relay, then backing up to win the country title in championship record time.
Thrower of the Year went to Mary Thomas, sharing with June Lowe and male athlete Mark Matthews. Thomas added the Australian titles in javelin, hammer, shot, throws pentathlon, and was also winner of the Champion of Champions. She was 2nd in the discus and weight throw. June Lowe did not contest the Australian titles but her wins at country and state were impressive whilst Mark Matthews showed talent in the country titles.
State rep, Grace Shaw took out the Jumper of the Year, being selected in her first state team and winning country, whilst male jumper Brett Harriman took out the men's award.
Female Distance Athlete of the Year was Jessica Hogg, who earnt her award both on track and cross-country and backed this up with a top 10 placing in the recent Sydney Ten. Long distance athlete Geoff Hynoski took out the men's award.
Diane O'Toole was awarded the Elvire Asprey Award for her great return to athletics after a long break and capturing 2nd in the 60m, 3rd in the 100m, and 3rd in the 200m at the recent Australian Masters Titles, and competing so well at both state and country titles.
Up-and-coming walker Jake Attwell was named Walker for the Year whilst under 12 athlete Joshua Smith was named Juvenile Athlete of the Year.
The G.E. and J.H. Loomes award went to Jodie Sundstrom for her dedication to the sport an in particular her efforts at a high level officiating, whilst Official of the Year went to Sally Barnes for her dedication to officiating at local club level.
Rookie Master athlete was awarded to newcomer John Hogg and Annie Van Tilburg, whilst Lynda Douglas and Colin Clarson took out the award for Loyal Support to club and Community Welfare. Ideal Club People were Corey Hogg and Kaitlyn Neto whilst Rebecca Dos Santos not only took out the point score overall for the Year but was also named Promising Distance athlete. She also won Sportmanship and Continued Support to Club awards along with male athlete Connor Dymond.
The Deegan family scooped the pool with Cooper taking out the men's overall point score in winning his age bracket, whilst brothers Cale, Cohen and Connor also won their age brackets.
Encouragement to continue awards went to Sara Guevara in the women's field after her great performance at country, state and Australian titles, and Chris Devery for the men, and Jonty Faulkner and Grace and Eve Way for the track.
