Illawarra Blue Stars Junior athletes followed their fine form of Country into the NSW Junior Championships. Competing on the new resurfaced Homebush Track, the junior athletes from IBS certainly showed they are among the best, and their form at Country titles should have been noticed by our metro competitors. Country athletes again shone at the titles and it is an indication on the talent that is on display at many of the country clubs.
Our men were the dominant force, with newcomer to IBS. Nicholas Horton certainly showing his all round talent and ability to easily adapt to senior athletics. His good performance at Country was an indication he was on form for this weekend’s events, and he certainly showed this. His win in the triple jump in the U17 division with a jump of 13.30m is a great jump, but then he backed up to take 2nd in the high jump with 1.85m. His first day’s events earnt him a close 2nd in the 110m hurdles, and a third in the long jump, giving him one of the best all round performances of the meet.
Club mate Jye Shumack finished a close 4th in the U17 high jump with a jump of 1.80m, showing the closeness of the event, he too moving into senior athletics and making his own mark on his favourite event.
Steven Harriman now adds another State title to his collection with a gold medal in the men’s U18 200m to go with his State gold in the recently held state 60m U20. The 200m was one of the closest events of the day, with first and second both recording 22.2 and third placegetter stopping the clock on 22.53, but the Blue Stars’ athlete shone through to take the gold in a photo finish. Harriman now has taken two State titles and a close 4th in the 100m, a great show of sprint talent over all distances. His ability over the 400m is another attribute this young man has.
Field games man Trey Barlow finished a good 2nd in the men’s U14 discus, and will now head to Perth for the Nationals with some of his club mates. Due to another commitment, Trey did not contest the shot on the second day but it is hoped that he is given the chance to contest this event at national level.
Connor Dymond, one of the club’s most likeable athletes, contested the men’s U20 division and came a close 6th in his hurdles final. Along with Josh Parks and Emma Matthews who performed well in all their events, the junior athletes of IBS really shone through and if metro athletes feel they have a number of events covered for placings, they should seriously stop doubting the ability of country athletes, as results this weekend have clearly shown.
At club level this weekend some hard fought events took place with Chris Devery and Lachlan Parry fighting our a hard fought 60m to virtually cross the line together. Parry just getting the decision. Devery followed this up with a good win in the triple jump an event, combined with his long jumping are two of his best.
The junior athletes fought out many of the events and it was great to see so many take on the older athletes and masters to help their own performances.
Blue Stars’ Open athletes will now look forward to their State titles with Stephanie Power, Talissa Scott and Chelsea Lenarduzzi being among the leading contenders in the women, whilst the men will be strongly represented in the sprints, hurdles and long jump.