Country Championionships Report

Country proves a real challenge - Proud of all athletes and officials

Four of the hottest days ever in Glendale, Newcastle confronted our athletes when they travelled to the NSW Country Championships. The championships have been held under a lot of criticism due to the length of the titles (4 days) competing on Thursday and Friday, two working days, along with Saturday and Sunday.  Blue Stars have not been in favour of this format going away from the original 2.5 days, but a team of very dedicated IBS athletes joined together to form a very good all round team. Although many were missing due to work commitments etc, the team rallied around and showed some outstanding performances. For all athletes the weather was unbearable, with officials suspending the champs on the Saturday when temperatures soared above the accepted conditions. Athletes of our club were greatly supported by our support crew and at all times, the general health of our athletes was our main concern. But what an effort our athletes put in. Many performances were rewarded with a medal, some not but they competed with commitment in all events they took part in many resulting in personal best performances. You could not have been more proud of our athletes in such conditions but also a program that leaves a lot to be desired.  Well done everyone.

Country record come to open men’s relay

Our open men sprinters were in fine form and only the former Australian sprint champion, Joshua Ross could stop them from taking the open men’s trifecta over the 100 metres. Ross finished in first place followed by Lachlan Parry, Kyle Grubnic and Chris Devery. Cameron Chisolm finished in 5th and Connor Dymond also made the final.  But the 200 metres was a little different when the Blue Stars men took the trifecta with Parry taking the gold, followed by Grubnic and Cameron Chisolm in 3rd and Chris Devery in 4th.  What a performance this was for the men in blue, but they didn’t stop there. Teaming together in the open men’s 4 x 100m, good  baton changing and an understanding of one another gained  the Blue Stars men not only the gold medal but also the country record, breaking their own time set last year, recording a great  42.75. The team was a joy to watch and has set a great bench mark for up and coming sprinters of the club. This is the fastest time set by a quartet of sprinters from Blue Stars at a country championship Championships.

Performances up with the best

All athletes performed so well and it is hard to itemise everyone in this column. It is great to see the number of younger athletes achieve high placings but it was also great to see our masters shine yet again in most of their events. Back to competition level Gianna Mogentale outclassed her opposition to take out her division over 100m, 200m, 400m 800m, long jump and triple jump. June Lowe had to withdraw from hurdles and sprints due to injury but dominated her throws.  John Lamb dominated in the sprints and hurdles, and also added the long jump to his medal wins. Diane O’Toole took out both sprints, the 100m and 200m and Sarah Guevara took out gold in the long jump and was placed in her sprints and high jump. Newcomer John Hogg went home with medals as did Mark Matthews.

Our open and junior athletes were impressive with Eve Way recording  a national qualifying mark for the 400 metres hurdles and Grace Shaw taking out the under 17 high jump and then backed up to win gold in the open women’s.  Male high jumper Brett Harriman showed his true ability to take out gold in his division. Emma Matthews continued on her winning way to gain placings in both sprints in a highly competitive age bracket.  Our senior women made sure they were among the points with Rebecca Dos Santos taking out the steeplechase and along with Kaitlyn Neto making the final of the open women’s 100 metres.  Jess Hogg impressed with a personal best in the 1500 metres to take out 2nd and Rebecca Dos Santos in third.  The Barnes family, Rhys, Belinda and Jessica also captured a bag of placings whilst Andrew Lau surprised himself in the field events. Stepping up to a heavier javelin both Josh Smith and sister Charlotte were not deterred.  Charlotte winning her division and Joshua placing second. In an all round great performance, the members of IBS can be proud of their achievements and have shown once again that they are a force away from home at any country championship event.

All results are now under Country Championships on ANSW website.  Click here to view all the track and field results from all four days of competition (updated 31st January).