Congratulations to all our masters’ athletes who travelled to Brisbane for the recently held Australian Masters Championships: the end of season event that masters athletes welcomed this year due to the cancellation of the last two seasons. Masters’ athletes were in full force at these championships and some brilliant performances were recorded by both male and female athletes from age 30 right through to one of the oldest athletes competing, as a “young 91-year-old” athlete. What a great joy it is to see people take to the track, take part in throws and decide to have a go at such events as jumps including the very hard Polevault. Not only did the athletes perform well, but the friendships that were renewed at this meet after a 2-year cancellation, is what Masters’ athletics is all about.
Blue Stars older members, Mary Thomas and John Lamb shone for the club, but it was a newcomer to masters athletics in the 45-year age bracket, that surprised many on her debut in National Masters titles.
Mary Thomas thrives on competition and although she hasn’t been training much, she brought the best out of herself once again. With a bag of medals being brought home, this adds to her already impressive haul that she has of Australian titles.
Mary’s wins were impressive as she had very good competition in her age bracket, but she added gold in the shot, gold in the discus, gold in the javelin, gold in the hammer and gold in the Throws Pentathlon with a championship record and a silver in the weight throw. Mary was also selected to take part in the Champion of Champions Throws. She now heads to Perth to compete in the Australian Masters Games.
Master of the sprints John Lamb was not to be denied at these championships and competed as well as any time I have seen him compete. His determination, grit and ability has to rank him as one of the finest masters athletes around and his win in the 100m (70-74) age bracket earnt him the right to contest the Champion of Champions. John has bought home silver in the 60m after recording the same time as the winner, gold in the 100m and 200m and backed this up with a gold in the 400m. He also took gold in the 300m hurdles and broke 2 State records. His wins were very impressive and although he left Brisbane track a “little exhausted” he has come away with a fine result at national level.
Newcomer to masters’ athletics and first time National Championships, Lisa Quinn has learnt a lot from the experience, but many now know this young sprinter can adapt very easily to major events. Her win in the Pentathlon in the age 45-49 was a good one, with individual wins in all the events in the 5-event title. Her win in the triple jump with a PB was also impressive as with a PB in the 800m of the pentathlon. Up against a class field in the sprints, Lisa adapted well and took silver in the 60m and silver in the long jump, with a bronze in the 200m with a PB, and bronze in the 100m. She added gold in the 4 x 100m relay (120 yrs), giving her a championship that showed she will be a threat as she progresses through masters’ athletics.
Rina Flynn had waited two years for these titles and could not have been happier to be at a championship national title. Rina competed well in the age bracket, coming in 11th in her 60m, 11th in the 100m, 9th in the 400m and added a silver medal in the state team 4 x 400m, (age bracket 240yrs). This Blue Stars athlete, who is a very committed person to her sport, gives it everything in all her events, and to be selected in the relay (4 x 400m) and bring home the silver is a great reward for this athlete.
Andrew Rodda was up against some of the best athletes in the world for his age bracket, but ran well all week to gain 6th in the 60m, 9th in the 100m, 7th in the 200m, and ran fine legs in the relays to add to his tally, 1st in the 4 x 400m (age bracket 240yrs - 4 athletes age must add up to or be more than 240yrs) and then backed this up with a bronze in the 4 x 100m (age bracket 180 yrs). These two medals added to Andrew’s list of achievements at national level, and to be amongst some of the best sprinters in not only Australia but also the world, shows he is amongst the best for his age.
Colin Clarson always enjoys competition and always gives his best regardless if it be at club level, State and now Australian. Colin ran a personal best in the 800m, 7th in the 400m, 8th in the 200m, and 10th in the 100m. Colin’s all-round ability to tackle events from the short sprints to middle distance shows his versatility. Colin is one of the most respected athletes of IBS and is committed to the sport of track and field.
AWARDS AND PRESENTATION
The above athletes have to be among the nominations for awards, come the Annual Awards and Presentation evening of the club, with a date to be announced this week. This will bring all members of the club in line to receive a number of awards and at the same time, divisional age winners and runners up for the Sunday weekly point score to be awarded also.
The summer season has seen the National titles for all ages being decided and with the final Classics being conducted for the Elite athletes, brings the summer of 2021/2022 to a close. The university Games will also be conducted, with many athletes ready to have a rest and then commence winter track and field program that IBS will conduct each month from May, June, July, August and possibly winter cross country.
THANKS TO EVERYONE
Our thanks go out to both Jodie Sunstrom and Sally Barnes who both have spent countless days at major State and Australian titles officiating. These two ladies have been committed to all events from club level right through to National titles, and it is these people who brave all forms of weather to ensure these major meets go ahead. Our thanks go out to them both, but also to our officials and helpers who have helped out each Sunday to ensure IBS conducts a weekly track and field program. To the club coaches, a big thank you for the wonderful work that you have put in with your athletes. Well done everyone, the summer may have been a bit of a disjointed season, but again, the club has pulled through in a very positive manner and the results of our athletes throughout the season has proved this. Thank you everyone.