Juniors continue successful season

The junior athletes (U14, U16, U18, U20) of Illawarra Blue Stars have continued on from their fellow senior club mates, with outstanding performances in the recent NSW Junior Youth Championships. Held in conditions that changed dramatically over the three day event, the juniors of IBS handled the conditions and changes of program with professionalism, and newcomer Maya Bos -Woods was a great example.  Having to wait some hours due to a storm, she jumped to victory to take the gold medal with a winning personal best height of 1.60m in the U15 women’s high jump.  Jye Shumack’s event was similar but was transferred to another day, and he too defied the change and once again a new personal best height of an outstanding 2.01m to take the silver medal in the U20 men’s.  Competing in one of the best high jump competitions for some time, and promises to be a top event at the Australian titles.

U14 athlete, Charlotte Smith, threw well to take 5th in the Javelin, whilst U15 Ashlyn Adams was placed a great 3rd in the 200m hurdles, 11th in a strong field in the 100m and 12th in the 200m.  Emma Matthews continues her great season with a national qualifying mark, gaining 8th in the U16 100m in a good time of 13.23, and 11th in the 200m with 26.41.  Jake Attwell will make his debut at national level with a strong walk over the longer 5km walk to take the bronze medal in a time of 28.8.39 mins. He will be joined at the nationals by club mate Nicholas Horton , in the U20 men’s, who took a well deserved 3rd in the 110m hurdles in 15.28 sec, 3rd in the triple jump with 11.97m and 4th in the high jump with 1.90m.

Marie-Luise Meier continues on her winning way in the U20 women’s discus to take the silver medal with a throw of 42.40m and then backed this up with a 4th placing in the shot with 10.77m. Junior athletes will now head to the National titles in two weeks to take on the best from all over Australia and once again IBS will be well represented with athletes meeting the qualifying marks for their respective events.

Junior Qualifiers for Nationals

Ashlyn Adams, Grace Adams, Emma Matthews, Maya Bos-Woods, Marie-Luise Meier, Jake Attwell, Nicholas Horton , Jye Shumack.  IBS wishes them all the very best.

Masters to compete at State Titles

The masters’ athletes will compete in the state titles under ANSW and will head to Blacktown this weekend.  Once again IBS will have a good strong contingent.  Due to injuries a number of our masters will not take part but are hoping they will be ready for the national titles later in March.

Little A’s Shine

Members of IBS and Little A’s shone last weekend when regional titles were held in not only Wollongong but various other regions across the area.  Our members performed well and many will now be heading off to state to complete a very hectic season for many of these young athletes.