VALLEY ATHLETES WELCOME RETURN OF AVSL

The long awaited return of athletics was welcomed by Diamond Valley athletics community with a good turn-out at Round 1 of the Athletics Victoria Shield League season. The majority of the DVAC competing athletes headed to the Doncaster venue for Round 1. The COVID safe return to athletics saw each of the four Metropolitan venues conduct the four event program over four separate hour long sessions with COVID precautions applied to each event. By the end of the day, the general consensus was that while different from the normal, the experience had been positive and athletes were very happy to experience competition once again.

Of the 88 DVAC registered athletes, there were 31 competing in Rd 1 of the AVSL program. By the end of Round 1, the Diamond Valley Athletic Club was placed 7th out of 10 teams in the Premier League. This Ladder is based on the total points accumulated by all the athletes representing their club on the day. So, the message is clear – DVAC needs all available athletes out on the track & in the field for Round 2!

Men Under 20 Top Their Age Group

Highlight of the Round was the effort of the Valley Under 20 team who topped their age group. This was a mighty effort by the four team members who competed on the day. Damien Furlong was fast out of the blocks in the 60m sprint and recorded the fastest run at the venue and the second fastest in his age group across the state. His time of 7.24 was also the best time for the DVAC men and scored 500 points.

Jarryd Cripps chipped in with a handy 432 points with his run in the 600m, clocked at 1:27.87. Jarryd was ranked 5th in the Men Under 20. Lucas Wilson and Joshua Scott added points to bring the team over the line in first place.

Men 40+ Team In 5th Position

Eleven members of the DVAC Men 40+ team turned out to fly the flag in this hugely competitive division. Luke De Biasi, M55, led from the front, scoring big points in the Long Jump (5.36m; Ranked 1st, 491pts); 60m Sprint (8.20; Ranked 2nd; 504pts); and Discus (28.24m; Ranked 12th).

Scott Rowsell clocked a slashing 7.77 for the 60m (Ranked 5th; 489pts) down at Geelong.

Ken Bruce, M60, keeps up a supply of valuable points for this team; on Saturday at Geelong Ken was placed 3rd (413pts) in the M40+ age group with a leap measured at 3.97m in the Long Jump. In the 60m sprint, Ken finished in 9.05 (Ranked 5th; 453pts).

Rob Wendel, M60, was slightly disappointed not to go under 2 minutes for the 600m, but he still led the points scored for the DVAC runners to line up for the 600m. Rob finished in 2:00.64.

Valley Juniors Shine

There were a number of DVAC juniors to spell out their talent in Round 1 of the AVSL. Katie Oliver scored the highest points for the club in Round 1 in the 60m Sprint. Katie was clocked at 8.06 and ranked 3rd in the State for her Under 16 age group. Her effort was scored at a massive 519 points.

Liv Sheens (U16) landed a best leap of 4.68m in the Long Jump to place 14th in her age group and score 434pts for her team that finished in sixth place for the Round. Jessica Fitzpatrick (U16) was ranked third in the Discus with a best throw of 30.86m that scored 464pts.

Ally Brooks led from start to finish in her heat of the 600m and crossed in 1:48.98. This gave her a ranking of 7th in the Under 14 age group and was scored at 472pts. The Valley Under 14 girls finished in 5th position on the teams ladder.

Liv Sheens (U16) landed a best leap of 4.68m in the Long Jump to place 14th in her age group and score 434pts for her team that finished in sixth place for the Round. Jessica Fitzpatrick (U16) was ranked third in the Discus with a best throw of 30.86m that scored 464pts.

Sprinters Vicson Jackley and Charl Louwrens will be a tower of strength to the Men Under 16 team that finished Round 1 in 6th position. Vicson finished the 60m in 7.66 to rank in 3rd place in his age group and earn 483pts. Charl crossed in 7.84 to place 12th and attract 451pts.

New Faces To The Valley

The Diamond Valley Athletic Club welcomed four new athletes in Round 1. Hayley Sposato, WU14, competed in the 60m (9.28) and Long Jump (3.96m). Elijah Zantey, MU18, ran the 60m in 7.82 to score 419pts for his team. Zack Lambie, MU16, had a best leap of 5.02m in the Long Jump. Saxon Howkins, MU16, was clocked at 8.53 in the 60m Sprint.

Club Helpers

The Diamond Valley Athletic Club had duty on the Long Jump for Round 1 and filled its responsibilities due to the volunteering of the following members: Maryann Murray, Max Balchin, Cyril Dixon, Shania Murray, Michelle King, Adam Scott, Connie Scott, Joshua Scott and Greg Luck. A big thanks.

Acknowledgements

Article by Max Balchin. Results by Athletics Victoria.

Results: Women

Results: Men