Illawarra Blue Stars Masters athletes can finally say their summer season of 2016/2017 has been completed. In an effort to combat the heat in Darwin, the Masters Australian titles were put back to June. Our members thrived in the conditions, and what an effort the nine (9) members put in. Star of the men has to be sprinter/hurdler John Lamb who impressed in both hurdles and sprints. John captured 6 gold (60m, 100m, 200m, 400m, 100m hurdles and 300m hurdles) in a brilliant display at National level. He was joined by club mate Mick Daly who finished with 6th in the 60m, 4th in the 100m, and 5th in the 200m. The women of IBS were once again outstanding with Mary Thomas and June Lowe bringing home most of the gold. Mary took gold in the hammer, weight throw, javelin, discus, shot, and throws pentathlon then added a silver in the Champion of Champions shot put. June Lowe, one of the best all round Masters’ athletes in the country, also had a great championship with wins in the 80m hurdles, shot put, javelin, weight throw and throws pentathlon. She also added silver in the 60m, 100m, discus, hammer, and bronze in the high jump and Champion of Champions shot put.
Sprinter Gianna Mogentale showed she is one of the very best in the country with a gallant win in the 400m and 2nd in the 60m. She then backed this up with 4th in the 100m and 200m against perhaps the strongest female sprint fields of the meet. She also added 2nd in the triple jump and made it into the Champion of Champions. Lynda Douglass consistently performs well and brought home 3 well-deserved bronze medals in the 60m, 100m and 200m. Diane O’Toole has returned to athletics after a long absence and chose the National titles for her comeback! Competing in the same Division as Lynda, Diane showed she will be a strong contender in next season’s sprints by finishing in 5th in the 60m, 100m and 200m. The youngest member of the IBS team Sarah Guevara made her debut at National level and thrilled herself with 2nd in the 200m, 400m and long jump. Sarah also managed a creditable 5th in the 60m and 100m with scope for improvement for the 2017/2018 summer season. Rina Flynn chose to concentrate on the 400m and 800m this time and finished a solid 5th in both events.
All IBS members finished in the top 6 of their events, a remarkable achievement by the team that took on the best in the land. They have earned a good rest before preparing for the upcoming summer season. This tally of medals does not include our members who were selected in the relay teams to represent NSW in the 4 x 100m and 4 x 400m.