Over the next few weeks of the summer season, athletes will be ironing out the cobwebs ready for a full season of track and field. This was evident at IBS opening rounds of competition when many athletes back from a break or off the back of the schools carnivals, tested themselves out, both in track and field.
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The next important event for students athletes will be the NSW All Schools, one of the most popular events on the athletics program, and IBS members will be up among them. Bringing athletes together from all schools, private, independent and public, this event showcases the best junior talent NSW has.
Great to see Chelsea Ezeoke and her sister Krystal now members of IBS and on the back of Chelsea's record-breaking 200m at Combined High Schools, she is highly rated for the All Schools. Her run with Emma Matthews over the 100m will also bring the best out of Matthews, who also has to be chance in the short sprints.
High jumper Grace Shaw is hoping her injured ankle will allow her to perform at her best and although 3rd last week in the Combined Catholic Schools, it indicated her toughness under injury.
Former javelin champ, Lisa Roberts ventured down to the coast and registered her talented young son, Alex, who again showed great ability in the Catholic Schools. He will be making his first appearance as an IBS athlete.
Sprinter Jonty Faulkner, off the back of a great 2nd in the Combined High Schools 400m, will be a force if he can produce the performance he had at CHS. Sprinters/hurdlers Grace and Ashlyn Adams will also be up with them on their combined high performances.
IBS will certainly be well represented at this coming up All Schools to be held this week at Homebush.
The Masters throwers will take to the track on home territory when they compete in the Australian Masters Throws Competition.
Held over the long weekend in October, at Kerryn McCann Athletic Centre, the club is expected to have their top two women compete in Mary Thomas and June Lowe, both ladies recently having a very successful Oceania Championships. This popular event held by masters throwers draws athletes from all over Australia.
Great to see a number of new members front up to join IBS for the summer. Former Nowra sprinter Sara De Vies will don the dark blue/light blue this year and will be a force in country titles, and will certainly add to the club's open women.
Good to see a return to track from Masters athletes John Van Stappen and Annette Mead. John has a great reputation in both open men and masters athletics, and when fully fit, he is a hard man to beat. J
ustin Miller also returned, a former top line open sprinter, but on form he will certainly be a force in Masters sprint events.
The club has announced they will conduct a barbecue each third round of competition, to enable members to relax and join in and mix with old and new members. Put that in your diary everyone with the first to be held next week, round 3 of competition.
Members are also urged to put in their expression of interest for state relays, an event the club has had success over a long period of time.
Forms are available on the website www.illawarrabluestars.com or at club meets each Sunday. To be held in November, the club is looking to put in a number of teams ages ranging from under 14 right through to masters men and women.