THANK YOU
The NSW Country Championships held over the long weekend once again produced some outstanding performances and IBS athletes were among them. Held at the Kerryn McCann Athletic Centre the event saw athletes from all over the country areas, with many travelling miles to contest one of the most popular events on the athletic calendar. The Championships were held in perfect weather conditions, until the final day when the rain hit the area but soon cleared up and the sun came out again. Competing in age brackets from 9 years up to masters, the country championships is one of the largest and most complex events to be conducted and all our officials and supporters were superb. Officials of NSW Athletics were outstanding but it was the support of our local members that showed what tremendous commitment they make to the sport of athletics.
The club would like to thank all our officials and volunteers who helped out not only on the three days of competition but also the Thursday prior to the championships, for the tremendous work everyone did in the preparation.
IBS SPRINTERS TAKE DOUBLE
On the track IBS Open men and women were outstanding. Lachlan Parry, Kyle Grubnic and Chris Devery took out the trifecta in the Open men’s 100m with Parry recording a National qualifying mark. IBS athletes were well represented in the final with Connor Dymond also making the hotly contested field. Parry then backed this up with another win in the 200m, from Devery and newcomer Liam Ryan making his first Country final recording a personal best time. The men then combined to win gold in the 4 x 100m relay.
Stephanie Power was not going to let the men take all the honours. She showed her talent to again take the double (the Open women’s 100m and 200m) in a display of class running, and although she has suffered injuries, it is hoped she can continue her form to enter into the State and National titles. The Open men and women not only showed great talent but they also displayed the traditional Blue Stars’ sportsmanship when most athletes contested events they normally do not do, but then managed to take minor placings.
Newcomers to the club had their first taste of County titles and were impressive right throughout the meet.
Once again the masters of the club shone with multiple winners, Gianna Mogentale and June Lowe outstanding in their respective age brackets. Mogentale has had a “fairy tale” Country Championships experience over the years she has competed, with her wins and placings being one of the most impressive of any athlete of any age. June Lowe continues to shine in both track and field events and is considered by many as one of the best all round masters’ athletes. The men were not going to be outdone by the women in the masters and none could have been more impressive than Leith Babian showing not only endurance over the 5km but tremendous speed over all the short distances from 100m to 400metres.
NATIONAL QUALIFYING MARKS SET
National qualifying marks were not only on the track with young hurdler Ashlyn Adams making the mark for the women’s U15 200m hurdles, but she was joined by discus thrower Marie-Luise Meier who created a personal best throw to take the gold . She added a national qualifying distance of 44.06m to meet not only the U20 but also U23 age brackets.
High jumper Maya Bos-Woods also met the qualifying mark for the high jump as with Jye Shumack and Nicholas Horton showing the class the club has in this event.
YOUNGSTERS JOIN IN MEDAL TALLY
Our younger members of the club were outstanding and added to the large haul of medals the club achieved over the 3 day meet. Great to see some of our dual registered members being among the medal winners, and now being part of senior athletics. They were also impressive assisting with equipment, helping officials and generally being a great help to us all. The junior athletes were indeed very impressive in all they did. What a job young Emma Mathews has done with outstanding photos that she has taken along with mum and dad, whilst Josh Smith deserves a special mention for his nonstop assistance and really getting into places that us larger officials find it very difficult. Well done Josh and Tyson Guevara who came down with mum on the Thursday and worked nonstop.
But medals should have been given out to the club’s great supporters base who spent hours in preparation, hours on the track as officials or volunteers, and backed this up with some trying to compete also. We cannot thank you all enough as you all have made the NSW Country Championships in the Gong a very successful event. All results are now on the Athletics NSW website.
OUR MEDAL TALLY
43 gold
29 silver
30 bronze
But we do know that athletics NSW have to convert a couple of our placings to IBS rather than unattached that were also recorded in the results. So the final tally could be lifted slightly. Our minor placings were also impressive with a number of members taking out close 4th, 5th and 6th placings. What a top effort everyone.