U23 and Open State titles have been held and it is great to see our U23 and open men making it to the National titles to be held this year at Homebush on 31 March right through to 7 April, being one of the largest National titles to be held. Over 3,500 athletes are expected to take part which will include the U14, U15, U16, U17, U18, U20, U23 and open male and female. And what a journey these athletes have had to make it to this level. Qualifying by meeting the standards set by Athletics Australia, then contesting the State titles and then off to Nationals. The Nationals are going to be a show of the talent that is within Australia in all ages, an event that athletic minded people should try to attend. Blue Stars will have, Emma Matthews, Grace Adams, Ashlyn Adams, Grace Shaw, Jake Attwell in the youth and Lachlan Parry, Kyle Grubnic and Connor Dymond qualifying for the men’s Open National titles. We wish them all the best and making it to these titles is an achievement as NSW this year has shown that the talent in all ages in most events is very high. Lachlan Parry’s run over the 200m to take out 8th overall was one of his better runs and he should be pleased with that effort after making the semi finals the day before in the 100m Open title.
Jake Attwell’s performance in the open men’s 5km walk was a fantastic effort. Jake has now qualified for the national titles but will contest his own age bracket. His personal best time of 25.21.71 mins placed him 7th in the open men and 6th in the U23 title. Jake could not contest the U18 state titles walk due to other commitments, and it is great to see him take on the older athletes and meet the qualifying standard by well under 5 minutes.