Rain and wind came, but that didn’t dampen the spirits of athletes from Illawarra Blue Stars who contested the NSW State relay titles last weekend. Teams were down from the club due to various reasons such as injuries, non-vaccinated, and the time frame that clubs had to put teams in. Regardless, most clubs were down for the same similar reasons, but the competition was strong and healthy, and the titles produced some outstanding runs by teams, especially the Sutherland women’s team who smashed one of the longest standing records in the books in the under 20 4 x 100m. But there was heartache, and none more than the open women’s team from Illawong and University. Illawong, the clear favourite to take out the blue-ribbon event dropped the baton, whilst second placed over the line, University, ran out of their mark. This shows that teams are teams, and an understanding of one another is the key component to many relay teams.
TEAM RESULTS
Blue Stars’ open men’s 4 x 100m of Chris Devery, Cameron Chisolm, Lachlan Parry and Kyle Grubnic have been a team for many years and have never missed the final of the open men’s 4 x 100m. Just making the final in 9th spot, the men lifted in the final and ran home in 6th spot, against some of the best relay teams not only in NSW but in Australia. Their understanding of one another has kept this team together and are a force what ever competition they contest. They all know there are some up and coming sprinters in the club and are kept on their toes with Corey Williams and Jonty Faulkner along with Liam Ryan pushing for a spot in this highly competitive squad of male sprinters in IBS. Faulkner, Williams and Ryan combined with Cameron Chisolm to make the final in the open men’s 4 x 200m to take out a great 4th spot. Faulkner, Chisolm and Ryan then combined in a South Coast team with AW James McPaul to finish in 5th spot in the final of the open men’s 4 x 400m. All three teams put in a great effort over the weekend, and it was great to see our open men’s being so competitive in all sprint relay finals.
Chisolm had a full weekend and donned the tights to prevent injury in rain and wind. He combined with Corey Williams, who has been showing great sprint talent, and female sprinters Maddison Miller and Sarah De Vries to finish in 6th spot in the first ever mixed 4 x 100m. This event will prove a popular one, but with the number of events on, many clubs were stretched to find runners for all events. Adding the medley, it certainly does give athletes a great workout, but larger clubs are more dominant due to the numbers and being able to move athletes around. Regardless, our team was competitive and looks like an event that will not only be popular but one that engages both male and female athletes together.
SPORTSMANSHIP AND TEAM SPIRIT
Our women athletes were magnificent. Sportsmanship, the desire to compete against the best, and the willingness to support the club really shone out over the weekend. Combining with her club mates for the first time in three years, Toyah Edwards, together with Kaitlyn Neto, Sarah De Vries and distance athlete Jessica Hogg finished 11th overall in the 4 x 200m. The thrill to see 4 girls delighted they could have a run in such an event was fantastic. Sarah and Maddison Miller then teamed with sisters Grace and Ashlyn Adams to form the open women’s 4 x 100m. Giving a lot away in age, with 17-year-old Ashlyn, and never having any baton changing together before the event, the girls took to the track against the very best but came out of it with smiles on their faces when they finished 10th overall. This type of sportsmanship is the highlight of this meet, and regardless of the outcome, both teams showed the character of competing together and supporting one another to form a team for their club, the idea that is behind these state relays.
DISSAPOINTMENT ON DECISION
One of the downers of the meets was the non-appearance of our masters’ men and women teams and our younger teams. Many of our masters could not compete due to injury, illness, or vaccination etc, but for the Association to knock back late entries when there are so many vacant lanes, needs to be looked at. Given the time span for clubs to get together and organise teams, it made it hard, especially for country clubs, whose members are scattered. It was thought that ANSW would take a few late entries to fill the vacancies. This did not happen and left our masters team who had rallied around to form teams with very little time, out of the titles. Many of the country clubs have not even gone back to the track having been washed out, and this applies to the Nowra club who failed to enter any teams in this year’s event. Armidale also were missing.
SAM IN THE “DARK”
Sam Jones has continued with his fine distance running, having a good lead up to the men’s open 10,000km, with a run in the State 3km. Sam was happy with this run and saw it as great preparation. The state 10,000km run last Saturday was a disaster, but on his times, Sam gained a berth in the first division of the titles to take out 13th spot. Disaster hit the host club, when all lights went out and electricity was cut. Not only was it cold and wet and windy, running with hardly any lighting late in the evening, made it one big challenge, to not only the athletes but officials also. Regardless, the event went on and the result of Sam Jones to take the 13spot was a great result for this very determined and committed athlete.
GOLD (BLUE STAR) MEDAL
The gold medal goes to Julie Bird, who travelled with myself, Mary Thomas and son Andrew to support the relay teams. But Julie decided to wait around till the finish to drive Sally’s car home as she realised Sally, who was suffering from a bad knee and who had spent hours of the two-day meet officiating, would possibly find it hard to drive home. Big shout to you Julie
Also, big shout out to Jodie Sundstrom who spends hours on the track officiating and state relays were no different. Top effort to you ladies and also to the support crew of coaches, mums and dads and friends of our athletes who travelled up to Homebush to support our members.
Well done everyone!