Track And field summer season has commenced and what a way to do it, with some outstanding results in the NSW All Schools Championships held last week. Competition was tough as usual, with students from all the States’ secondary schools coming together in one of the largest track and field meets in the State. Illawarra Blue Stars athletes had a great few days with two of our members, Grace Adams and Emma Matthews, now off to the Australian titles, after their fabulous efforts in both sprints and hurdles. Emma captured a well deserved silver medal in the 15 years 100m after her great run in the 200m. This gutsy run has made her one of the quickest girls not only in NSW but Australia wide too. Not to be out done by Emma, Grace took the silver medal in the 16 years 100m hurdles and bronze in the 400m hurdles, creating new personal best times for both. She also sprinted well in both the 100m and 200m.
Grace’s younger sister Ashlyn, was a little unlucky not to be chosen after she clipped a hurdle, but backed this up with good sprinting in both her 100m and 200m and then took bronze in the girls 14 years 90m hurdles with a personal best time. Only two athletes in each event are selected for the Australian titles, but Ashlyn will have the Youth titles to look forward to later in the season. Walker,
Jake Attwell is another who performed well taking the bronze medal in the 5km track walk, he too just missing a berth by one place. It was great to the see the performance of thrower Grace Meier, who finished a well-earned 5th placing in the girls 17 years hammer, an event that with coaching and training she will develop into a fine young thrower. Club Mate Charlotte Smith, took out a good 6th spot in the girls 14 years javelin and is now starting to throw consistently over the 30m mark.
It was unlucky for high jumper Grace Shaw, who withdrew a day before hand due to illness, but based on her past CCC success and her height she cleared, would have placed her 2nd. Grace, at the CCC chose not to go any higher when she had the event won, so who knows what this young lady is capable of.
Andrew Lau is showing he is improving with each competition whilst Jonty Faulkner chose to run the 100m at this meet, and only just missed the semi-final of this event by a small margin. Hurdler Abby Cox just missed the final of the hurdles in her age bracket.
All round performances were very good, and we wish our athletes the best of luck for the Australian All Schools when student athletes gather from all over the country.