Torrential rain and storms greeted masters’ athletes on their first day of competition at Homebush on Friday but events were postponed to the Saturday and athletes were greeted with two beautiful days for track and field State titles.
Illawarra Blue Stars Masters athletes were very prominent and certainly brought home a bag of medals and a pending State record. Dominant on the track was 55-59 year old Gianna Mogentale, who carried on from her Country titles to bring home gold in the 60m, 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, and triple jump, and silver medals in the long jump and high jump. She also created a new State masters record in the 100m and is now waiting ratification.
Mary Thomas returned to the track with a great display of courage and determination after a recent operation. She brought home gold in the women’s 70+ javelin, discus, hammer, weight throw and shot.
All-rounder June Lowe showed why she is classed as one of the best all rounders with wins in the 60-64 age bracket in the high jump, hammer, hurdles, shot, javelin, long jump and was placed 2nd in the 60m, 100m, and the weight throw. Her second in the sprints did not go outside Blue Stars with the winner being club mate Diane O’Toole who took both short sprints and then added the 200m to give her the trifecta.
Long jumper/sprinter Sarah Guevara added the State title to her Country championship title 40-44 long jump when she took out gold in a personal best jump. She then competed well in the short sprints to take 4th over the 60m, 100m and 200m.
Rina Flynn fought hard to the finish in the women’s 55-59 400m to take the bronze medal, just being nudged out of 2nd placing. She also ran well to gain 4th in the 100m and 200m.
Colin Clarson flew the flag for the IBS men due to others having commitments or injuries. Colin had one of the hardest age brackets over all distances, but showed sheer determination and courage against some of the best sprinters and middle distance male athletes in Australia. He finished a good 4th in the 1500m, 7th in the 100m and was just outside medals in the 400m, 200m and 800m.
Total number of medals at NSW Masters titles:
Gold 21
Silver 5
Bronze 1
An outstanding effort against all masters clubs within NSW.