Mild conditions greeted athletes for the last round of the AV Shield North West Region competition. With four teams safely into the Region Final, interest on this round would centre on whether our U16 girls could finish in the top three to also secure a finals berth. With a stronger turn out than the week before, our U14 women, U20 men and 40 plus men all finished in third place, and our U16 men won for the second week in a row

In their best result for the season, our U16 women finished in second place, thereby securing their place at the Region Final for a second consecutive season. While it was planned to promote several U14 girls to the higher age group for this round of competition, the fact that this did not happen and it was a result achieved on the girls own merit and performance is a real credit to each member of the U16 girls team

Interest in this last round of competition would also centre on Shane Wilson (M16) who was aiming to set an Australian Junior Championships qualifying time in the 2000 m Steeplechase. After a fast start, Wilson settled into a good rhythm through the five lap race and although the placing was immaterial to the time, Wilson crossed the line in first place and a full ten seconds under the qualifying mark. As a result, Wilson will be in the Victorian team at the Australian Junior Championships in Sydney. Not bad for a bloke in his first season of track and field. Well done Shane, from all your friends at the Harriers

Along with Shane’s fantastic run, no less than four club records were broken. Patrick Martin broke the U11 boys record for 100 m Hurdles and Len Hallet broke the Discus record for Men 60-64. On her way to winning the Open 100 metres, Ellie Thom broke the club’s U17 girls club record while Tim Conway broke the club’s U16 boys 100 m Hurdles record

To the results and Michael Dziadkiewicz (M20) again dominated, winning the 100 m. Rory Smyth (M16) won the Triple Jump. Leah Polycarpou (F14) again recorded a clean sweep of her events, winning the 1500 m and 2000 m Steeplechase while Pam Sievers (F1) won the Discus and was runner up in the Javelin. Matthew Smith (M20) was second in the 1500 m as was Xavier Burton (M16) in the Triple Jump. Stephen Wright (M40) was second in the Javelin before coming third in the Discus

Shaun Stewart (M16) was third in the Discus and Javelin, while Michael Clark (M20) was third in the 100 m. Kira Davey (F16) was third in the 90 m Hurdles, Tyler Guerin (F14) was third in the Triple Jump, Philip van Dueren (M40) was third in the Javelin while in the Discus Sophia Petropoulos (F14) and Chelsea Wight (F16) were both third

So we move onto the Region Final, which will be held on Saturday, 6 February 10. With our U16 women confirming their place, the club will have five teams competing – all of our junior teams and our overage men. Each of the athletes involved in the final will be receiving an email this week with their schedule and program of events. Please look out for it

For our senior Men’s Division 1, 2 and Women’s Division 1 team, it was a tough season as all three teams finished in last place. Your summer committee took the decision to promote our Men’s team and maintain the women’s division 1 team for another season and while it was worth the punt, next season’s summer committee may look at relegating those teams to second division until we can re-build numbers in those teams as more junior athletes come through

To the latest on Diane Brimacombe – who you will remember was acting an official last round when she was struck on the head by a Hammer that was thrown out of sector – is that the hospital want to move her to the neurology ward and will do so when a bed becomes available. Diane is undergoing further surgery this week, this time on her cheekbone and eye socket, so it could be some time before non-family members are able to visit. Diane will shortly move to the Alfred’s rehabilitation centre in Caulfield for further treatment before being transferred to the Royal Talbot Rehabilitation Centre in Kew. A long recuperation and recovery period ahead of her, but it is to be hoped that we may see Diane around the place when the Athletics Victoria winter road and cross country season opens in May

To happier news. Well done to Coburg Harrier Bola Lawal who was selected to represent Victoria at the Australian Athletics Cup, staged this year in Canberra. Into a strong headwind Lawal blew the competition away in the individual 100 m Sprint event, winning convincingly. This helped to set up the Victorian team as they won the annual event