Nowra Athletics celebrated the festive season with a Christmas themed track & field program on Wednesday 14th December.
There were 4 handicap heats of the 100m sprint with the winner of each heat going through to the final.
David Whittaker, Andrew Havadjia, Allie Moffat, & Liam Dooley as heat winners were joined by wildcard entries Baylee Holland, Liam Johnstone, Katie Martin and Taylor Forbes in the final. The final however was run over 60m so there wasn’t a great deal of room to spread the field! The race was hard-fought by all competitors with the triumphant victor being David Whittaker. This was a worthy victory with David consistently improving his sprint running over the season thus far. Congratulations David!
In the long jump pit, a mystery distance was chosen with a prize awarded for the athlete who jumped the closest to this distance.
3.67m was the boys mystery distance and Bow Mills won the prize, jumping 3.46m. In the girls 2.81m was the mystery mark and Laila Hartnett was just 1cm off; jumping 2.82m.
In the men’s long jump Perry Strand jumped the nearest the mark of 4.13m with a jump of 3.79m and in the women’s event Lara Check claimed the mystery prize with her jump of 3.78m, the closest to the mark of 3.58m.
Shot Put had Santa’s hat as the target and Kobi Kennedy and Ella Hartnett were the junior winners of this event. Cody Chater and Sophie Braddick were the winners of the E grade section and Andrew Havadjia and Lara Check won the senior division.
The final event of the night was the handicap Christmas mile. This was an exciting event with some great running on display. Peter Dooley called the race with much enthusiasm, urging on the runners & the cheering crowd. Baylee Holland started with a 2 minute handicap and ran a blistering last lap; increasing her speed in the last 200m to pass Holly Spence and claim line honours; winning a Christmas pudding for her efforts. Baylee clocked a corrected time of 6.40.9 in a fine exhibit of athleticism. Holly Spence hung on for second place after a 2.50 minutes handicap and back marker Leith Babian with a 3.50 minute handicap ran in third. Well done to all the competitors!
Nowra Athletics will take a break from Track & Field now during the Christmas period and resume on Wednesday 11th January.
Athletes are reminded that the 2017 NSW Country Championships are to be held 20-22 January 2017 at Dubbo. The draft timetable has been published and online entries are now open. Country Champs provides a great opportunity for country members to come together in an inclusive, fun, team environment. The event also provides a great opportunity for regional athletes to gain valuable competition experience. Entries are $20 for first event, and $10 for every subsequent event, with a $70 cap. Family entry is $70 for adults and unlimited children, for any number of events. Entries close midnight Wednesday January 11, 2017.
Nowra Athletics Club would like to wish all members a very happy and safe Christmas. We look forward to more athletics in the New Year!