Illawarra Blue Stars Masters athletes have finished off their summer season with a bang and have to be ranked among the best all round club athletes at National level.
June Lowe stole the show with an outstanding display of all round athletics. Her domination of her age bracket was in sprints, hurdles, throws and jumps. June gained 1st in 60m, 80m hurdles, high jump, javelin (Australian record), 1st in hammer , shot, throws penthalon, and then capped it off with 2nd in the long jump and 2nd in the discus. Her hammer throw was one of the best and a personal best for June herself. A top championship for this talented lady.
She was joined by club mate Mary Thomas who once again dominated her age in the throwing taking out 1st in hammer, javelin, discus, throws penthalon, and then a 2nd in the shot. She was also awarded the Australian Masters Thrower of the Year at the AMA Awards evening held in conjunction with the National titles, a great tribute for an outstanding effort. Mary then capped this off by being named Thrower of the Year through ANSW as the nominated athlete to ANSW from NSW masters.
John Lamb was equally impressive with wins in the 60m, 400m, 200m, hurdles , and then took silver in the 100m to give John one of his best all round championships and show that he is back to formand was the club’s stand out male athlete of the championships. He was joined by sprinter Peter Shepherd who returned to the track from injury to take out 3rd in both his 60m and 100m, whilst female sprinter Gianna Mogentale , also returning from injury andwith no preparation was delighted to bring home 2nd in the 60m, 100m, 200m and 400m. She was joined by club mate Lynda Douglass who ran well to bring home a bronze medal in her favourite event, the short fast 60m. She then ran into 4th place in the 100m and 200m.
Also lacking preparation due to injury Darrin James was pleased with his placing of 4th in his age bracket 800m, 6th in the 400m and 5th in the 1500m, whilst Rina Flynn was placed 5th in the 400m and 7th in the 100m. The withdrawal of Mick Daly after his 60m was a blow for this talented male sprinter but injury forced him out of the remaining events.
The performances of IBS members gained them selection in the NSW State relay teams. Gianna Mogentales’ team in the 4 x 100m brought home gold as with Lynda Douglas’ team. Both gained a silver medal in the 4 x 400m, whilst Rina Flynn gained her first National medal when her team ran 2nd place in the 4 x 400m. Darrin James was selected in the 4 x 400m, he too gaining 3rd placing.
John Lamb, Peter Shepherd and Mick Daly were not available for selection.
The overall performance of IBS Masters athletes was outstanding and they can now put up their feet for a well deserved rest. They will also be in contention for major awards when IBS conducts its annual awards and presentation evening for all members on Saturday 14 May 2016.