Footnotes 2019 Country Championships Edition

Over the Day Long Weekend, the 2019 Victorian Country Championships were held at the La Trobe University Athletics Centre in Bendigo. Ballarat Harriers had a large contingent of predominantly junior athletes compete with significant success. There were also some brilliant performances from two of our Veteran aged competitors. Jeff Sargent won the 60+ , and . He also was a team member of the 40+ 4x100 metres and 4x400 metres relay teams that finished each relay in second place. For his outstanding efforts, Jeff was awarded the male Veteran athlete of the championships award. Congratulations Jeff. Conrad Oberholzer also had a brilliant championship winning the 40+ 100 metres, , and also being a member of the second placed 40+ relay teams. There were some excellent performance from some of our junior competitors. Track manager John Weeks said that Jake Ashmore’s final leg in the Open 4x400 metres was one of the greatest relay legs for Harriers that he had seen. Jake who is still 14 made up over 60 metres on experienced senior athletes and ran himself in to the ground literally.

Jeff Sargent with his Veteran of the Jake Ashmore the final leg of the Championships award Open 4x400 metres New U14 Harrier Grace Kelly had an amazing win in both her 100 (13.01) and 200 metres (26.40). Rachel Gibney continued her great form winning both the 40+ (2:37.84) and (5:20.07). Angie Selkirk ran well in the U16 competition to claim second in both her 100 metres (13.33) and 200 metres (26.61). Angie also finished second in the (10.25 metres), fourth in the (4.64 metres) and fifth in the

1 discus (18.57 metres). The ultimate all rounder! Tabatha Ray had a run in the U16 800 metres finishing tenth in 2:49.99 while Ella Sandford contested the U16 100 metres finishing sixth in her heat in 14.42 and was third in her 200 metres heat in 30.15. Chloe Kinnersly ran her 400 metres in 65.38 to finish second in her heat. Veteran Andrew Drummond had a good first day of the championships winning the 50+ 400 metres in 57.67 and then he suffered a narrow defeat finishing his 100 metres in second in 13.02. Unfortunately Andrew’s championships concluded in a calf strain and he was unable to contest the 200 metres or relays on his second day.

Grace Kelly, winner of two golds and Angie Andrew Drummond, centre with his 400 metres gold Selkirk, winner of three silvers at the medal flanked by Eaglehawk’s David Chisolm and championships Antony Langdon In the Men’s U16 competition, Jake Ashmore ran a superb 200 metre in 23.88 to claim a silver. Teammate Matthew O’Brien ran fourth in his 100 metres (12.13), sixth in the 200 metres (24.57) and fourth in the 400 metres (54.23). Ryan Hovey contested both horizontal jumps events finishing fifth in the triple jump (10.58 metres) and sixth in the long jump (5.05 metres). U14 athlete Will Roberts walked away from the championships with two silvers after throwing 14.90 metres in the hammer and jumping 6.80 metres in the triple jump. Keith Scott contested the U20 800 and 1500 metres finishing third in the 1500 metres in 4:39.89 and eighth in the 800 metres in 2:13.89. Liam Hanrahan was our only Open athlete of the Championships. Liam finished eighth in the 800 metres in 2:02.81 and was third in his heat of the 400 metres running 55.78.

Conrad Oberhozer with his high jump Will Roberts (silver) with Wendouree’s gold medal, one of three gold medals Vaughan Van Berkel (Gold) at the triple won at the championships jump presentation Gold Medals Event Performance Grace Kelly U14 100 metres 13.01 Grace Kelly U14 200 metres 26.40 Rachel Gibney 40+ 800 metres 2:37.84 Rachel Gibney 40+ 1500 metres 5:20.07 Conrad Oberholzer 40+ 100 metres 12.55 Conrad Oberholzer 40+ High Jump 1.60 metres Conrad Oberholzer 40+ Pole Vault 2. Andrew Drummond 50+ 400 metres 57.67 Jeff Sargent 60+ 100 metres 13.24 Jeff Sargent 60+ 200 metres 28.61 Jeff Sargent 60 + 400 metres 64.38

Silver Medals Event Performance Angie Selkirk U16 100 metres 13.33 Angie Selkirk U16 200 metres 26.61 Angie Selkirk U16 Triple Jump 10.25 metres Will Roberts U14 14.90 metres Will Roberts U14 Triple Jump 6.80 metres Jake Ashmore U16 200 metres 23.88 Andrew Drummond 50+ 100 metres 13.02 Peter Roberts, Jeff 40+ 4x100 metres 54.89 Sargent, Conrad Oberholzer, Rod Hansen Peter Roberts, Jeff 40+ 4x400 metres 4:16.72 Sargent, Conrad Oberholzer, Rod Hansen

Bronze Medals Event Performance Keith Scott U20 1500 metres 4:39.76 Peter Roberts 50+ High Jump 1.30 metres Peter Roberts 50+ steeple 15:03.39

Keith Scott with his 1500 metres bronze Angie Selkirk with one of her silver medals

Jake Ashmore with his 200 metres silver Double gold medallist Rachel Gibney in action Liam Hanrahan out of the blocks Ryan Hovey landing his long jump

Matt O’Brien starting his 100 metres Angie Selkirk striving at the end of her 200 metres

Chloe Kinnersly in the 400 metres Ella Sandford in a tight 100 metres Relays On the final day of the championships, Ballarat Harriers entered relay teams in several divisions, the U16 Women’s (4x100m), U18 Men’s (4x100m), Open Men’s (4x400m) and 40+ Men’s (4x100m and 4x400m). The U16 Women’s team consisted of Grace Kelly, Ella Sandford, Tabatha Ray and Angie Selkirk. This team finished fourth in 55.21 seconds. The U18 Men’s team consisted of Ryan Hovey, Matt O’Brien, James Oro and Jake Ashmore. This team finished fourth in 47.98. The Open 4x400 metres team was a development team made up of James Oro, Liam Hanrahan, Keith Scott and Jake Ashmore. The team ran extremely well finishing fifth in 3:44.93 after the amazing final leg by Jake. The Vet’s team was unfortunately weakened with Drummo being injured and with no other choice, I had to run! Jeff Sargent and Rod Hansen who were also replacements from the original team ran well, but Conrad Oberholzer was like a machine! The team overcame their slow starts in both relays to finish second in both the 4x100 (54.89) and 4x400 (4:16.72).

Jeff Sargent, Conrad Oberholzer and Rod Hansen during the 4x400 relay

The Vet’s relay team on the presentation dais receiving their silver medals, Rod Hansen, Peter Roberts, Jeff Sargent and Conrad Oberholzer The next round of Shield will be held on this Saturday, February 2. This is a twilight program commencing at 5.00 pm. If you have purchased an Athletics Victoria Track package please pre enter via the Athletics Victoria website by midday on Wednesday, January 30. If you haven’t purchased this package, please enter for this round using the BRAC entry system by visiting www.ballaratregionalaths.com.au Please sign in for your events at least 30 minutes prior to the start time at the Tom Roberts pavilion.

Key contacts Track Manager: John Weeks Track Captain: Andrew Green Ph 0466 752 928 Ph 0417 560 335 [email protected] [email protected]