FOR the fifth successive year, Western Athletics has won a state Athletics Victoria team title.
The Under 18 women led from soon after the event started and held off late challengers from Nunawading and Old Xaverians, to claim the shield.
There were nervous moments before the start of the relay, which carries double points, with Nunawading fielding fresh runners while the 10- member Western Athletic’s team had done multiple events during the day.
But fourth in the baton-passing event was good enough to earn them the title.The club was also runner-up in the Under 14 boys, third in the 40 Plus Women and seventh in the 40 Plus Men
However, the heroics were not confined to the junior teams.
Carloyn Huell was fifth fastest (before time adjustments for age) in the 40 Plus Women’s 1500, after recovering from crashing into a steeple barrier during training in the days leading up to the final.
Huell’s time of 5:29 was only seven seconds outside her season’s best.
But her efforts as well as that of her team mates were to no avail, as they were swamped by teams that had athletes who received more time and implement weight advantages, granted because they are older.
“It was a fantastic team effort,” Western Athletics publicity officer Peter Gavaghan said of the U18 women.
“We won by everyone doing their best on the day in far from ideal conditions.”
The team comprised Hayley Burke, Dana Delaney, Claire Hodgart, Rochelle Kennedy, Brittany McIntyre, Amanda Missale, Aliesha Newman, Louise Rebesco, Madison Sharp and Nicole Svoboda.
“Other teams had more athletes and were able to call on fresh bodies more than we could,” Gavaghan added.
“Madison did six events, Claire was magnificent in doing three longer distance events (2000 steeple, 1500 and the 2000m walk) in 30 plus degree heat.
“Dana had to have a lie down after feeling queasy following her long jump efforts, and came back to do a 400 … had she not done it, we could have lost.
“Brittany was outstanding in the javelin and pole vault while Louise backed up well in her three events and was not overshadowed.
“Rochelle used her experience to time her 400 metre run to perfection, and won by a whisker to earn maximum points and Amanda and Nicole both put in terrific efforts.
“Aliesha wagged work to appear for the club and we were glad she did, her contribution in four events was justly rewarded.
“Rochelle used her experience to time 400 metre run to perfection and won by a whisker to earn maximum points and Amanda, Hayley and Nicole all put in terrific efforts.
