Illawarra Blue Stars continued its fine tradition with some very good results at the recent State relay titles. Having a combination of new members ably supported by long term members of the club, the teams combined well to take on some of the best relays in the State.
All of the club’s athletes competed well and although we do not like to take split times in relays, many of the members ran personal best times over distances ranging from 4 x 100m right through to 4 x 1500m. Great to see the masters’ men taking part in both the 4 x 800m and 4 x 1500m, but the pleasing aspect was the members taking on all distances to fill spots left in teams due to injuries and illness. With some of the club’s leading masters’ men sitting on the sideline due to this, the athletes who took to the track wore the club’s colours with pride. Our men’s under 20 team was gallant and brilliant with Connor Dymond, Steven Harriman, Cameron Chisholm and Joshua Park taking the first medal with a great 3rd placing in the men’s 4 x 200m, being narrowly beaten by Armidale for the silver medal. They then combined to take out 5th in the same division over 4 x 100m. The clubs under 14 girls’ squad gave every indication they will be a strong force in the future with gallant runs in the 4 x 100m, 4 x 200m and 4x 800m and also the long jump. All 4 girls remained in each team, Charlotte Smith, Grace Adams, Margaux Chauvet and Emma Matthews, and finished in the top 6 in both the 4 x 200m, 4 x 800m and 4 x long jump, a gallant effort from a combination of promising junior athletes.
The club’s masters were once again a dominant force with the men’s 200+ age bracket of Colin Clarson, John Lamb, Geoff Hynoski and Darrin James running a brilliant 4 x 400m to take the silver medal. Clarson, Lamb and James then combined with female sprinter Gianna Mogentale to win the bronze medal in the 4 x 100m. James and Clarson were busy athletes then combining with Ian Smith and Geoff Hynoski in the 200+ 4 x 800m (5th placing) and 4 x 1500m (4thplacing), a great effortby all athletes, and a first for the club for some time competing in both the middle distance events.
Masters’ female athletes combined well to take out 2nd in the women’s 4 x 200m in the 200+ age bracket with Annette Mead, Rina Flynn, Lynda Douglass and Gianna Mogentale, who then combined to take a well earnt 3rd placing in the 4x 100m. Mogentale, Douglass, Flynn then combined with Nowra’s sprinterJanie Hamilton to form a South Coast team and bring home the bronze medal in the 160 years age bracket in the 4 x 400m. They have combined well to carry on the club’s strong tradition in masters’ relays and all athletes should be proud of their performances. Overall the standard of the State relays this year was strong and to be placed in the top 6 was a credit to all the IBS teams.
The support crew are also to be congratulated with all members giving their full support to each and every team, whilst members videoed events, lap scored for teams and gave full Blue Stars support from the grandstand.
The club will now continue the first part of the season with club competition each Sunday, athletes attending the Treloar Shield in Sydney and then taking on the beach sprinters in a Christmas Gift match on Sunday 20 December. After a small break the club will resume and the Illawarra Track Classic will be the feature of January 2016 followed by the club’s attendance at the NSW Country Championships.
It is never too late to register with IBS. Memberships are still being taken each Sunday at club meets commencing at 2.00 pm at the Kerryn McCann Athletic Centre, Beaton Park.