The 2023 NSW Masters Championships were held at Campbelltown on February 4-5th.
Erin Smart proved to be the sprint queen in her age group, taking the win in each sprint event for the 40-44 years. In the 60m, there were 9 competitors and Erin finished 1st in 8.13 to take the gold medal, in front of Rebekah Power from Wollongong who clocked 8.15 and Amy Harkness, also from Wollongong who was 3rd in 8.30. In the 100m, from a field of 8, Erin took the win in 12.63 with Rebekah Power 2nd in 12.87 and Yael Reed from Uts Norths 3rd in 13.37. In the 200m, once again Erin took pole podium position in front of Rebekah Power, clocking 25.81 to Rebekah’s 26.39, whilst Wollongong’s Amy Harkness was 3rd in 27.66. In the 400m, Erin also claimed gold, with 58.24 whilst Rebekah Power was once again relegated to 2nd in 1.00.71 and Belinda Vermey, another Wollongong athlete, was 3rd in 1:05.47.
(Photo credit to @g_griffis7)
In the Men’s 65-69 years 1500m, middle distance runner, Peter Dooley earned the silver medal behind NSW Master’s Peter Hutton, whilst Michael Donnelly from Randwick was 3rd. In the 800m, Peter Dooley went one better and took the gold medal in 2:34.33.
Matt Reid contested the 30-34 years 100m and finished 4th in 12.48. In the 400m, Matt ran a PB of 54.59 for the silver medal whilst in the 200m, Matthew Reid contended with windy conditions, and yet still ran a PB of 24.03 to take the bronze medal.
In the 50-54 years 800m, Gavin Dyball ran strongly and was 4th in 2:28.17.
In the field, masters thrower Kerrie Jones got back into the swing of things, after her recent wrist injury, and contested the 65-69 years events. In the 3kg shot put, Kerrie finished 4th with a throw of 6.26m whilst in the 1kg discus Kerrie hurled 16.25m for 4th place. In the 5.45kg weight throw, Kerrie was again 4th with 7.71m and in the 3kg hammer throw, she was 4th with 17.13m. Finally in the 500g javelin, Kerrie speared 13.26m for another 4th place.
Well done to all our masters athletes on a great Championships.