Illawarra Blue Stars Junior athletes came up against some of the best junior talent NSW has seen for some time, when they contested the NSW State Youth Titles. Held at Homebush, the fields were some of the best, and many outstanding performances were recorded over the three-day meet.
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Under 14 athlete Matthew Arregui made his first appearance at state youth and being one of the youngest (12) in his age group of under 14, he experienced what senior athletics is all about. He will be a talent to watch as he progresses through the system. He was joined by Joshua Smith, who finished 8th in his javelin but did personel best throws on two occasions.
Under 15 talents Lucas Campbell and Zaidyn Phan also made their debut at State Youth with Phan recording personal best times in all his three sprints, 100m, 200m and 400m. This age group in the club is one to watch, as they too progress in senior athletics.
Alex Harris was the star of the club's under 16 group with a PB in the 200m, making the final and running 5th in his 100m heat to just miss the final. He was joined by up-and-coming sprinter Calem Brown, who, suffering a bad back, had to withdraw after the first day. Hoping for a speedy recovery, Brown and Harris are a real backbone of this age bracket in the club and are both setting a high standard for the likes of Phan and Campbell to follow.
Under 17 javelin thrower Alex Del Popolo was another to suffer an injury whilst playing AFL and had to withdraw from his event, but has qualified for national titles through his performance at All Schools and Country.
Jonty Faulkner used the youth titles for great experience, moving up into the under 20 age bracket but proving that he can match it with the best. Faulkner also has qualified for nationals, and is hoping that he can break the 50sec mark after recording just over in both his heat and final, where he finished a good 6th.
In the women's section Ashlyn Adams set the pattern making the final of her hurdles to take out a 5th placing, and then backed this up by making the 100m final. She was joined by Chelsea Ezeoke who finished a strong 2nd in the 400m, and is looking forward to this event at national level. She will also take on the open women in a few weeks to give her more experience over the gruelling 400m, and priming her for her own age bracket at National level.
Emma Matthews performs at her best all the time and is possibly one of the most consistent athletes in the club. Her age bracket is also one of the strongest and to make the final of both the 100 and 200 at state level is like making the national final, all girls being national qualifying standard.
All athletes performed well and with some heading to the national titles and others recording personel bests at junior level. This is what they require, making a pathway for them to older age competition.
The club will again be well represented when our senior athletes take to the track over March 8-10, with our open men being a strong force. Sarah De Vries will take on the strength of the NSW Open women over 100 and 200m, while jumper sprinter Corey Williams will sprint and jump in the under 23 men's section. Williams surprised with a magnificent 2 metres in the high jump just recently, and will support this event with his long jumping and 100m sprinting.
Rosie Davidson will make her return comeback to the track, over 800, 1500m. With her improved performance just recently over the 800m, Davidson is improving with every run. She will be joined in the longer runs by Jessica Hogg, taking on the 3km. Chelsea Ezeoke will back up from youth titles and will run in the open women's 400m. Our masters men and women who had events postponed will also compete in conjunction with the open men and women to finalise their event which was washed out on the last day of competition.
