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Jussie's report for Round 4: Well, its a lot of fun managing a team that is so keen to run/jump/throw, that has people lining up to run by invitation so that they can challenge for a spot and that enjoys sitting around and having a chat. Oh, and it also has the added effect of allowing the team to win more often which is fun too!
A coldish sort of evening wasn't enticing to managers or athletes alike, but we must press on regardless. The manager was also a little short of cash so a trip to the canteen was looking out of reach - will power got me through, however. As usual, the team members pulled out the usual array of personal bests, seasons bests and Kodak moments.
First to the Kodak moment. Dave McCaffrey managed to win the javelin with his first throw and scooted off the infield to prepare for what was apparently the hottest of hot dates. One only had to smell the delightful eau-de-toilet he was sporting to know that this wasn't your run of the mill, take the date to Maccas, evening. Following up his earlier victory, we wait with bated breath to see how the rest of his night fared.
Matt Cooter and Peter Hoggan provided the personal bests with 14.11 in the triple and 49.11 in the 400m respectively. The East Melbourne guys are definitely coming to the fore at State League and we are all very happy to see them doing so well. At this point, it is probably worth passing on my best wishes to all the athletes heading to Adelaide for the National Schools Championships. Good Luck...
Our sprint team welcomed, for the first time, Carl Morehouse as our third 100m runner. Carl ran right up to form and is part of the growing list of people who are chasing individual and relay spots at the moment and it all looks very positive for the team. Justin Lewis won one of the fastest heats of the night (beaten by only a hundredth, I think) and Nfa looked very strong and will be something to see over 200.
Meanwhile Matt Brown was doing his usual imitation of a shot putter...after four rounds, he has varied by over 1.5m! Thursday was a solid performance and you've gotta love him for stepping up. His discus on the other hand is getting better and better and I would say that he has improved his average throws by about 4-5m from last season...a monster effort.
Our two young 1500 runners gave it their best, but found the competition a little hot for them at this stage. Both Paul and Peter, who made their debuts at State League, will be stepping up to 5000m this season and we look forward to seeing their improvement.
Tommy Farr came in after a day of sniffing toxic fumes to do the High Jump, and managed to get his body over a few heights. Tom is probably 20 years ahead of his dear old dad in terms of shoulder injuries, but with a bit of luck it is just a passing injury and he'll be back throwing the spear sooner rather than later.
The hurdles...well, we dominated as usual...Roy, you are a genius and we wouldn't be where we are without your guidance of young athletes.
As mentioned earlier, Peter ran a PB in the 400, but Brendan Cole was still able to win his heat and remain undefeated this season. Good luck Brendan for Monday at the Zatopek meet. Rob Garland made his debut in an individual event and impressed, running 50.61. Again, an East Melbourne athlete on the up.
The Pole Vault didn't pick up the expected 13 points, but Jason's vaulting is worth it for the spectacle alone, attempting a "Scotty the Body Roll" in a valiant attempt to clear a height.
Hans Lotz? Well, he just keeps on keeping on, doesn't he?
Hope I haven't forgotten anyone, my apologies if I have. Four rounds, four wins...sounds good to me. Thanks again and we'll be seeing you in two weeks.
Matt Hanrahan did all the hard work in organising the Women's team this week, but let yours truly take all the glory. So here's Andre's report:
Four Olympics including a silver in the 4x4 in Sydney, medals at both the World Champs and Commonwealth Games, and last but not least three runs for Bayside last night. Of whom do I speak? Jamaican sprinter Sandie Richards no less! I think I can speak for Matt in saying we were pretty excited this week to see if we'd be happy to find a spot from a 50 second 400m runner (female!!!). As it turns Sandie was up for a 100m and relay also. A spot was found, and we can add her name to the increasingly lengthy list of Olympians to pull on the Bayside crop-top in the past 18 months - and Sonia O'Sullivan is rumoured to return to our ranks soon too.
So anyway, the night kicked off well for us as Shirley Hay walked to victory. A nervous Helen Galanopoulos showed she didn't need to be, adding further to our Triple Jump depth. Emily Ryan showed the value of coming in to jump invite as she filled in for a late-in-arriving Sarah Wiltshire in the High.
While our resident record-breaker Gab Neighbour was over at Yarra Park winning Hammer again, she missed a chance to practice her Jamaican with Sandie who was comfortably crusing to victory in the 100m (12.33s). Sarah Dosen proved worthy back up with a strong second in her heat into a big headwind, while Karin Laidlaw stepped up yet again.
Like most clubs we struggled to find a distance runner who wasn't thinking "Zatopek" this week. Fortunately our throwers are consistently out there in first or second. Natasha De Neisse scored a strong second in the Jav while Bec Neilsen scored what have become regulation double victories in shot and discus. Rebecca Weisz just missed another PB in the vault, but won again in 3.35m.
Back on the track Karin and Sarah had good hurdles wins. Half an hour earlier the powerhouse Dosen, Laidlaw, Gough & Richards combo had just missed victory in the 4x100m relay. A few more practice sessions and this foursome could go a long way :)
By the time we got to the 400m victory was assured and I was adopting benevolent dictator status, allowing Karin to sit back and watch the races rather than stepping up in Tara's absence. Our Jamaican recruit proved a handy acquisition as she powered around in 52.70. Young Frankston sprinter Clare Gough showed she doesn't know the meaning of overawed by taking a solid third in her heat in 59.56s.
As many in the women's team are juniors I echo Jussie's call in wishing all very well in Adelaide for the All-Schools. Likewise to our Zatopek entrants.
And see you all in two weeks time when our special guests will be Marion Jones, Gabriela Szabo and Trine Hattestad... well maybe...
Results are here.