With covid restrictions easing somewhat, the Summer of Athletics is heating up.
The Illawong High Velocity Meet was held at The Ridge Athletics Track on Saturday 9th January. Sprinter Lachlan Kaszonyi successfully competed in three sprint events. Lachlan finished 5th in his 60m heat in a time of 7.42. In the 100m he crossed in 2nd spot, clocking 11.29 which placed him 18th overall; a great achievement amongst a top quality field. Then in the 200m he ran 22.99 for 3rd place in heat 5 which ranked him 23rd overall. Well done Lachy.
Matt Reid returned to the competition arena running in 7th in his 100m heat in a time of 13.15 whilst in the 200m he clocked 26.83 for 5th place in his heat. Great to see Matt competing further afield in the black and gold.
Meanwhile on the 10th January several Nowra athletes travelled to the ACT to compete in the Athletics ACT Summer Series event held at Woden Park.
In the sprints Mark O’Leary competed in the 60m and ran in 6th in heat 2 clocking 9.26. In the 100m Mark again ran strongly to place 6th in his heat, crossing in 14.71, just behind fellow Nowra athlete Jonah Watson who clocked 14.52.
In the 800m Cam Musgrove ran a strategic race to take the win in 1.53.78, equalling his PB and 2020 national qualifier time. Will Dyball also clocked a PB, crossing in 1.59.83 for 3rd place. In heat 3 Peter Dooley ran in 4th in 2.28.14 whilst in heat 4 Matthew Watson ran well in his competition debut for 8th place in 3.13.47.
In the senior 3000m event Peter Dooley took victory in 11.49.33 and in the long jump Jonah Watson was the victor in the 14-15 years event, jumping 4.10m.
Finally, in the 400m both Cam Musgrove and Will Dyball backed up after their successful 800m race. Cam’s mind was seemingly elsewhere, as he ‘missed’ the starters gun but after a very delayed start he worked hard to make up ground and finished 3rd in a PB of 51.31. Will had a much cleaner start to his race and earned himself another PB too finishing 1st in 53.99. Superstar Erin Smart won her heat of the 400m with a PB of 58.94 and earned herself a cheeky celebratory drink.
Well done to all our athletes.
Fingers crossed covid doesn’t interfere with upcoming events on the calendar and athletes can continue to enjoy competition. This weekend will see the Illawarra Track Classic held at Kerryn McAnn Athletic Centre in Wollongong whilst NSW Combined Championships will be held in Campbelltown on the weekend of 23-24 January. The annual favourite NSW Country Championships will be held at Mingira Regional Athletics Centre from Friday 29 January to Sunday 31st January. Registrations for Country Champs open 16th January so don’t miss out!