Athletics Victoria Shield North West Region competition returned last Saturday for the first meet of 2009. In warm conditions we recorded one of the smallest attendances for the season. Admittedly, we had a rare clash with a professional footrace and many athletes are still on holiday. Those that were there, however, were privileged to watch a performance that few will ever forget. While individual results have been released, we are still waiting on the official team results. Nevertheless, I am confident that our Division 2 men and 40 + men continued on their winning ways. On the junior front, however, several clubs had big numbers at the meet so I estimate our U16 men, women and U18 men placed about third

We welcomed three new athletes to the Coburg Harriers and one athlete made his North West Region debut. From Coburg Little Athletics, we welcomed Thomas Clarke (U16), who placed second in the Javelin, and Hewitt Hunter (U16), a middle distance athlete who performed admirably in the 800 m and will benefit from the run. And from Kilmore, we welcomed Jessica Farrugia, a sprinter who will be a very useful addition to the ladder leading U16 girls team - Farrugia placed second in the 400 m. Competing in his first North West Region meet was Bola Lawal and making his season debut was supercoach Brian Delaney in the 400 m - he would later finish second in the Mens 40 + division

There were three club records broken on Saturday. Not content with owning the U13 girls 200 Hurdles record, Davey carved another little piece of history for herself by recording a season best 34.44 seconds to now claim the U14 record. And in the High Jump, Philip van Dueren's personal best 1.40 m equaled the M45-49 record he shares with former club stalwart Freddy Rademaker

But it was in the 100 m where we saw the true potential of Bola Lawal. The Nigerian international and club member was keen to improve on his 10.63 club record for the 100 m, set before Christmas. In the first heat, and in a tough field that contained a Stawell Gift favourite and the current Australian U20 100 m champion, Lawal eased through the first thirty metres before putting distance between himself and the rest of the field to cross the line in 10.29 seconds and a personal best. This is just 0.01 seconds off a B Qualifier for this year's World Championships. Remarkably, Lawal has only been running the 100 m over the last twelve months, having represented Nigeria at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in the 4 x 400 m Relay! His time is the third fastest set in this country for the last twelve months and Lawal wants to get closer to the 10.21 he needs to get an A Qualifier for the World Championships in Berlin to be held in August

 

Possibly one of the all round stand out performances of the day came from Glenn Carroll. After a disappointing 800 m race where he suffered interference from another athlete, Carroll then proceeded to roll off a personal best in each of his following four events - the 3000 m (10:36.54 and ), Long Jump (4.95 m), Javelin (34.22 m) and 400 m (56.43 seconds) - winning both latter events in Division 2. Matthew Smith (U18) recorded a personal best in the 800 m with 2:09.13 and third place for U18 men. Mohammed Reese (Div 2) recorded season bests in both the 100 m and Javelin, while Philip van Dueren (40+) threw a season best in the Javelin. Matina Konstantinakos showed the benefit of her good sprint training with a season best in the 100 m, Nastasha Grgurovic ran a season best in the 200 m Hurdles, while in the 800 m Luke Dragon (U16) and Warren Burke (40+) also recorded season bests

 

This week we return to Program 1. The sprinters have the 100 m, 200 m, 4 x 400 m treble. Middle distance athletes have the Steeple and our first 1500 m race since mid November! Field athletes, the Hammer is strictly invitational and not for points. Jumpers have the Long Jump and seniors can enjoy the 400 m Hurdles, with the 200 m Hurdles for juniors. Bearing in mind that Little Athletics returns this week, the first events at Aberfeldie are the U16 men's Long Jump and U16 women's Discus from 1:00 pm sharp. The 200 m Hurdles are on from 1.20 pm, with the U16 men's Shot Put and U16 women's Long Jump from 1.35 pm. If you require a lift to Aberfeldie this Saturday, please let me know. I would ask that leading up to finals, all athletes concentrate on those events we can expect in the Region Final. This week, I would like to see as many athletes as possible tackle the 200 m, 1500 m, Shot Put and Discus. The more events we can fill with athletes, the better our chances in the final. Also, to run the relays in the final, you need to have an individual 100 m performance recorded during the season as well as having had completed four relay events

 

On the subject of the Region Final, there are a good number of athletes who compete for the club who may have other commitments on the day of the Region Final. I would ask that if you are considering your options for Saturday, 7 February 2009, could you please make the Region Final your priority. So if you are from Coburg Little Athletics it would be appreciated that if selected to compete in the Region Final that you could get away early from little athletics. And if - like myself - you are also a professional runner that you consider not participating in the pro meet scheduled for that day. It would be great to come away from the Region Final with a few pennants and it is the only weekend for the summer where I ask athletes to put other considerations aside. If we make the Shield Final it would be a bonus, but I am not expecting people to miss Little Aths Regional Champs or the pro meet that are both scheduled for that day, just the Region Final

 

Don't forget we have a very short turnaround from this Saturday's Round 10 meet to the very next Tuesday, 20 January 2009 for a twilight meet. If anyone requires a lift to the Tuesday twilight meet, please give me plenty of notice

 

Further ahead and as predicted, a majority of clubs voted last Saturday for a make up meet on Tuesday, 27 January 2009 to replace the washed out Round 8, so please mark it in your diaries. The meet will take place at Aberfeldie from 6:00 pm and Program 2 will be run. It will give those athletes on the borderline of finals qualification to get an extra few events in to make the cut

 

Finally, best of luck to club member David Woods who will be representing the club at tonight's (Thursday) Victorian Milers Club meet at Sandringham. Woods will appear as one of the highest ranked runners in Heat 3 of the 800 m and will be looking to improve on his recent best of 2.08

 

DATES TO REMEMBER

 

Saturday, 17 January 2009 - AV Shield North West Region Round 10 at Aberfeldie from 1:00 pm

Tuesday, 20 January 2009 - AV Shield North West Region Round 11 at Aberfeldie from 6:00 pm

Tuesday, 27 January 2009 - AV Shield North West Region Round 8 (make up meet) at Aberfeldie from 6:00 pm