The 2019 Country Championships were held at Glendale over four days from January 24-27. Nowra had a total of 39 competitors who competed in individual events. There were some great athletic performances and there was also some extreme heat.
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Competition was suspended a number of times over the weekend due to the heat. In addition, due to extreme temperatures, the 200m and 400m heats were conducted as timed finals and the field events were restricted to 3 throws or 3 jumps. The official temperature peaked at 45 degrees on Saturday forcing the 3000m and 5000m events to be moved to Sunday morning. Despite all of this, Nowra athletes performed with enthusiasm, dedication and good sportsmanship.
Eight-year-old Liam O’Leary had a fantastic first Country Champs meet winning gold in the U9 shot put, long jump, 100m and 200m, and silver in the 800m. In the U11 events brother Flynn was 7th in shot put, 8th in 100m, 6th in 800m, 5th in 200m, and 8th in long jump whilst big brother Patrick took bronze in U12 discus with a throw of 22.55m then was 4th in shot put, 7th in 800m, 5th in long jump, 6th in javelin, 6th in 200m, and 7th in 100m.
Bursting with enthusiasm Mark O’Leary tackled his first Country competition with gusto. Mark finished 6th in the 50-59 years long jump, 8th in shot put, 5th in 100m, and 5th in discus. Leanne O’Leary flew in from Bali on Friday, arriving at the Hunter Sports Stadium a little later than anticipated so she just missed her shot put event. However, after a good night’s sleep to get over her jet lag she competed in the 30-39 years discus finishing 5th and in the javelin placing 4th.
Nowra’s own record-breaking superstar Erin Smart showed the competition her prowess with 3 gold medals. Erin won the 30-39 years 100m in 13.59, the 800m in 2.30.88 and the 400m in 1.00.93. In addition, Erin took silver in the 200m. Little Evie Smart took home her own medal with a bronze in the U10 800m and even better, a massive PB. Evie also came 5th in the 200m and 7th in the 100m.
Masters thrower Kerrie Jones was over the moon with her 3 bronze medals. Kerrie was 3rd in the 60-69 years shot, discus and javelin and 4th in the hammer throw. Kerrie was reportedly very happy to be able to maintain the distances she has been achieving at club nights. Thrower Geoff Crook competed in the 50-59 years javelin and speared 30.33m for 5th.
Masters middle distance runner Peter Dooley scooped the pool in his events, taking out the win in both the 60-69 years 800m and 1500m, in unofficial record time. The most up to date ‘best on record’ lists the previous best time for this age group for the 800m as 2.22.48 (Peter clocked 2.20.76) and for the 1500m 5.09.17 (Peter’s time was 4.54.84) so we look forward to seeing the record books updated. It seems Peter is just like a good bottle of wine; he just keeps getting better with age!
The Beresford family had a very busy program in the field. Alissa Beresford took home 3 bronze medals for 3rd place in the 40-49 years hammer throw, long jump and triple jump as well as 6th in discus. It’s great to see her hard work is paying off since breaking her foot last year. Mason Beresford, like mother like son, took home 3 bronze medals, finishing 3rd in U17 discus, shot put and triple jump. Mason also placed 6th in javelin and 5th in long jump. Paul Beresford, despite harbouring an ailment that has hampered his training took silver in the 40-49 years triple jump as well as placing 6th in hammer throw, 7th in long jump and 9th in discus. Teenager Jayla Beresford finished 5th in U15 shot and discus.
The Barrett family all competed for Nowra too. Kane Barrett collected a medal of each colour with gold in the 40-49 years javelin, silver in discus and bronze in shot put. Continuing the sequential order Kane was 4th in long jump and 5th in hammer. Cooper Barrett speared a silver in the U14 javelin and then two bronze medals for the discus and 1500m. He was also 4th in the 800m and 400m and 5th in shot put. Taj Barrett collected 2 silver medals for the U12 shot put and discus. He was 11th overall in the U12 100m and finished 7th in the U13 javelin. Meanwhile Tracey Barrett was 7th in shot put in her maiden competition.
Another busy family was the Dyball family. Youngest member Noah Dyball claimed silver in the U10 shot then 4th in the 100m and long jump and 5th in the 800m. Toby Dyball won gold in the U13 1500m, powering home in the final straight. Toby also won bronze in the 800m, and was 8th in the 100m and 200m. Will Dyball was impressive in the middle-distance events too, narrowly missing a national qualifier in the 800m. Will showed determination and control to take the gold in the U15 800m and 1500m and was 4th in the 400m. Equally impressive was Ella Dyball who showed guts and determination in the heat in the long-distance events, taking silver in the steeplechase and bronze in the 3000m as well as placing 6th in the 800m and javelin. Gavin Dyball competed in both ends of the track spectrum starting with the 100m (6th in his heat), moving to the 800m (4th) and finishing with the longest race on the program, the 5000m (4th). Clearly this was great training for the upcoming half marathon Gavin!
The Mustapic clan were across a range of events. Alisha Mustapic claimed bronze in the U13 80m hurdles and was subsequently very animated about adding hurdles to her future competition programs. Alisha was 4th in high jump, 5th in 800m, 6th in javelin and 1500m, 8th in 100m and 11th in 200m. Mali was keen to “run the straight” and entered the U9 100m, finishing 7th. Mali also placed 5th in shot put. After completing a leisurely 6.5 km morning jog Glen Mustapic participated in the 40-49 years 5000m and took home the silver medal. Jade Mustapic also competed in the 5000m and just like her dad, won silver in the U20 category, however Jade beat Glen home by just over a minute and a half. On Sunday morning Mel Mustapic took time out of her coaching role to throw the javelin placing 5th in the 40-49 years event.
Going home with a swag of medals was Reilly Caswell. Reilly has been training hard and with lots of determination and commitment he won gold in the U13 800m, claimed silver in the high jump and 80m hurdles, and took bronze in the long jump and 200m. Reilly then competed in the U14 400m, against State medallists and won another bronze medal with a PB of 1.04.73. Reilly was also 4th in shot put, and the 100m. Phew! I’m tired just writing this! Tynan Caswell was another determined youngster giving it his all in his events. Tynan was 4th in the U11 800m, 6th in shot put and 7th in long jump. Tynan then competed in the U12 1500m and finished 5th.
Lachlan Kaszonyi represented Nowra in the U20 group, claiming 3 medals, one of each colour, with gold in the 400m hurdles, silver in the 800m and bronze in the triple jump. Lachie also finished 5th in both the 100m and 200m.
Alexis Charalambous added a bronze medal to her medal collection for 3rd in the U16 steeplechase, along with 4th in the 3000m. Meanwhile Hunter Thompson sprinted to 4th in the U16 400m and 7th in the 200m.
Jeff Power was another excited ‘newbie’ to Country Championships and he placed 4th in the 40-49 years javelin, 5th in his 100m heat, 9th in long jump and 10th in discus. Son, Riley Power unfortunately had to withdraw from his program due to dental surgery.
Scott and Lucas Johnson were gluttons for punishment competing in both the distance events on Sunday morning after the 3000m and 5000m were moved on the program due to the high temperatures. Scott triumphed in the 50-59 years 5000m claiming gold then backed up in the 1500m a short time later taking silver. Lucas demonstrated his toughness to finish 4th in the U16 3000m then pushed through in the heat to grab bronze in the 1500m.
Cam Musgrove made his return to the track after a year’s absence. After returning from the coolness of Canada the heat was not something he welcomed however he put himself out on the track and ran in 5th in the 800m and then, in his first competition 1500m, placed 12th amongst a very competitive field. Darlene Musgrove was horrified to discover that the Women’s 40-49 years 800m had been moved on the timetable and would be run during the Hunter Track Classic Main program. They said it was “a fantastic opportunity to run before and after some of the best athletes Australia has to offer” but Darlene was not looking forward to running in front of such a crowd. Nonetheless she completed the two laps for a 4th place, whilst the winner went after the 800m record! Paul was undoubtedly the star of the Musgrove family, taking 2 golds for the 40-49 years high jump and 400m as well as a 4th in the 200m.
It was a great 4 days of athletic competition and the camaraderie was certainly high amongst the Nowra athletes and supporters. Thank you to everyone for travelling to Glendale and congratulations to everyone for their achievements on the track and in the field. You are all champions!
