The business side of the season is upon us, with the open men’s and women’s and U23 State Championships ready to take place next weekend. It is anticipated that many events will be wide open with a number of promising juniors now making the transition to senior or U23 competition.
Great to see so many of IBS athletes entering these titles. Great for experience, great to compete against not only NSW’s best, but some of the leading athletes in Australia. The state titles will certainly give many an opportunity of seeing how they are progressing towards the Australian titles, some having already qualified and some on the verge of meeting the national qualifying mark.
How good is to see the talent in some of our open men, back again in one of their best events, the long jump. Chris Devery made his comeback to the event in the club’s Illawarra Track Challenge, and showed he has big jumps in him as he progresses in this event. Joined by Kyle Grubnic, himself a former junior champ in the long jump, these two talented men will take on the best in the state, but both know that with more training behind them in this event the big jumps will certainly come out.
Adding to the open men, U23 athlete Corey Williams will tackle the U23 division, and a placing in this event and maybe a national qualifying mark is well within this talented young jumper. He will also contest the high jump and due to illness and injury, he is yet to make the qualifying mark for this event, but the state titles may just be the event he needs. With his speed and agility, he is on the verge of both events, but all three are looking forward to next season’s state relays where they believe they will have a highly competitive long jump relay.
On the back of his country championship placings, Jonty Faulkner is again looking forward to racing against the “big guns” over the 100m and 200m, but will be highly competitive in the U23 division, a great division to lead into open competition. Faulkner has shown a lot of maturity this year, and is not afraid to race against the best, knowing that this is bringing out the best in himself.
Middle distance man Joshua Baulch made a return to the track with a fabulous 800m recording a solid 1.55 min, the ideal preparation for him as he heads into state U23 in the 400m and 800m events. A sub 50 secs on the same day as his 800m shows he is ready to go, and with the talent he has, will be a force in both events. Regardless of his placing in state, it good to see Joshua back dong what he does best, running solid 400m and 800m.
In the women, a change back for Grace Adams who will move back to the sprint hurdles (100m hurdles) after her national qualifying mark over the 400m hurdles at Country. Her good flat speed suits her perfect for the shorter hurdles and she has shown in the past that she is suited to the shorter hurdles. To see her tackling events at state level is a credit to her, showing determination and commitment to the sport she loves. Like her sister, Ashlyn Adams, will also tackle the short hurdles and she too will take on the U23 short hurdles.
The club’s top hammer thrower, Kiahna Soroka, has had a bad season with a back injury and now a foot problem, both forcing her to miss lead up and club meets, but it is hoped this talented thrower will be able to make the titles and compete in her favourite event of the hammer. Many have not seen this talented young lady compete as yet, but her placing last year in the University Games indicates that once fit and healthy, she will be highly competitive in the hammer.
Regardless of placings etc, the club will be well represented and indicates that the progression to open level competition, by adding the U23 division, will keep athletes in the sport a lot longer.
This major event will be followed by the U14 - U20 titles bringing the talent of all these ages together and hopefully follow into U23 and open competition later on in their careers.