The 2021 Illawarra Track Challenge was held at Kerryn McCann Athletic Centre on Saturday 16th January with fantastic results for both locals and representative athletes. In the 100m Rohan Browning broke the magical 10 second barrier, just the second Australian to run under 10 seconds electronically. An hour later, Rohan was back on the track in the final of the NSW 60m championship, where he clocked a wind-legal 6.55 seconds time – an Australian best on record (outdoors) and the fourth fastest all-time on the World list (outdoors).
Several Nowra athletes also took advantage of the local competition with great results.
In the 60m U16 Championship 14-year-old Reilly Caswell competed in Heat 2 and clocked 7.90 for 5th place, which put him 15th overall. Then in the Men’s open 400m Reilly ran strongly for 7th place in Heat 5, clocking 57.86.
In the women’s 60m open championship Erin Smart contested Heat 5 and crossed in 5th place in 8.29 which placed her 16th overall but 2nd in the 30-39 years group. Erin then competed in the Women’s 400m open event finishing 6th in Heat 1 in 59.46 which was the eighth fastest time on the day. Never one to rest, Erin also contested the 100m where she won her heat in a new PB of 12.99. Erin’s time placed her 25th from a field of 60! What a champion effort!
Cam Musgrove competed in the Men’s 400m open event in Heat 3 and after a much better start than last week, finished 3rd, in a close race, earning himself a new PB of 50.66. Cam also competed in the Mile Open Championship Race where he impressed with 6th place in a time of 4.16.53. Cam closed the race in 57 seconds for his final lap, which was the fastest lap time by any of the competitors, moving from 11th place to 6th and finishing a fraction behind 5th place who clocked 4.16.37. This was Cam’s first official mile race and he says he’s not sure if he’ll sign up for another anytime soon but with results like that, his coach may disagree!
Hardworking Lachlan Kaszonyi raced in Heat 4 of the 400m crossing in 4th place for 53.22 on the clock which was a season PB. In the 100m Lachlan was put in the last heat of the day which he claimed victory in with a new PB of 11.27. These are well deserved results for an athlete who never ever gives up!
Charlie Heidke also achieved a new PB in the 100m running in 3rd in Heat 10 in 12.25.
In the Mile U20 Championship B event Tom Duncan finished 4th in the Men’s 14-15 year category with a time of 5.20.85 whilst masters athlete Peter Dooley finished 7th in the Open B Race in 5.36.30.
Well done again to all our athletes who continue to compete for Nowra and continue to learn and improve from the racing experience.
As everyone is probably aware, the NSW Country Championships have been ‘postponed’ and will no longer take place at Mingira on the last weekend in January. This was certainly a disappointing and contentious decision by ANSW and Nowra Athletics Club expressed their concerns via a formal email. We are yet to be advised of any alternate date and understand that a different date may not suit athletes now considering difficulties associated with organising leave and accommodation but as a Country Club we will continue to respectfully voice our opinion and work to encourage and develop the sport of athletics in Country areas. We will keep you updated as information comes to hand.