Illawarra Blue Stars athletes can take a bow and be highly satisfied with their outstanding performances at the recent Country Championships. Held in sunny and high temperatures on the newly opened Dubbo Athletic Centre, a good all round balanced team of 41 athletes was the biggest from the Illawarra and all athletes and family are to be congratulated for supporting this major event. Athletics NSW paid tribute to the Blue Stars team on their outstanding efforts and having such a good team, so athletes can also feel proud of their efforts which haven’t gone unnoticed by the controlling body. Dubbo track is superb and can be said their administration block is possibly one of the best outside of Sydney. Although down a little on numbers, events were highly contested with many national qualifying marks being set by athletes.
Our team of juniors, seniors and masters athletes showed why we are one of the best country clubs in the NSW, with athletes recording personal bests, State records and National qualifying marks. Some of the athletes scored points that have never been seen before by our athletes with Rookie athletes also helping to contribute to the Blue Stars score. Our families were a joy to watch with all members of the family squad supporting and encouraging one another.
There are too many results to list of the team Blue Stars but all results can be viewed on Athletics NSW website. Click here for the full results.
Some Performances have to be given high praise: Stephanie Power’s runs to take out the Open women’s 100m and 200m and meet the national qualifying mark for Nationals was outstanding. Club mates Connor Dymond and Lachlan Parry both scored qualifying marks for Nationals in the hurdles, whilst Jaye Shumack and Nicholas Horton both recorded qualifying marks for the high jump. A new State masters record in the relay was created by Darrin James, Mick Daly, Andrew Rodda and John Lamb taking 2 secs off the previous markin the men’s 45+ age bracket. It was a brilliant run by all four members, whilst Lamb also broke the meet record for his age bracket in the hurdles.
Top point scorer Gianna Mogentale showed not only her sprint form but her all round ability to score the club’s highest points with a top effort of 54 points, taking on events that she has never been seen before to participate in such a major event, whilst John Lamb and Darrin James were also among the highest scoring, both men showing their versatile ability.
The all round efforts of our junior athletes were outstanding with many of the juniors being placed in a number of events and recording personal best times and distances.
But the sportsmanship of the club’s members did not go unnoticed either and on many occasions athletes were seen going from one event to another. The club’s attitude to one another and support of one another saw juniors being supported by masters and senior athletes and vice versa - what a great way to bring a team together.
Our thanks are extended to our committee and supporters who were all excellent throughout the three day meet, but we cannot forget the fabulous job both Ian and Heidi Smith did for us all by providing a container of cold water and drink and shade right throughout. Geoff Hynoski in his first year as President has to take some of the credit for bringing it all together and his caring nature towards all members.
Our newcomers were outstanding and it was great to see our families combine and compete as such, allowing all members to complete in a major championship all at the same venue.
After the great success of the club’s Illawarra Track Challenge, and now the success at Country, IBS can be highly proud of all its members who have contributed to such success.
Click here to see the Hooper Cup point score for the NSW Country Championships 2017.