Promising signs for many SKAAC athletes leading up to the National Championships in late March.
SKAAC had a strong presence on Thursday night at the newly laid track and Lakeside stadium. Conditions in the early evening were a little bit windy and warm, but as the night progressed the wind and temperature dropped providing the chance to see some fast and honest racing.
Bridie Hill began the proceedings for SKAAC running in the Women’s Junior 1500m. Bridie (who arguably does NOT have fresh legs after running multiple events at AVSL last Saturday and then placing second in her age group on SUNDAY at the triathlon in Elwood) ran superbly. Her time of 4:45.67 was good enough for a podium bronze, a 0.90 sec PB and SKAAC Club Record from Under 15 to Under 20.
In the Men’s Open 800m SKAAC had 3 athletes competing along with new clubman Felix Lonergan who was pace setting the A final. It is fantastic to see Alex Rowe returning to competitive racing, and as previous joint national record holder, SKAAC is confident he will continue his progression back to the top of Australian 800m running. Alex ran 1:53.58. Steve Knuckey showed good speed in the Men’s A 800m and ran a 1:49.75, however probably just missed his opportunity to latch onto the pace of the 3 front runners. Young gun, and all round nice guy, Jack Lunn, had his debut run in domestic open elite company. Jack displayed confidence and determination, taking the lead with 250m to go and making sure of his terrific 1:48.81, a World Under 20 qualifying time. Jack was strong enough to hold down the closing straight to earn himself a Bronze medal in the event.
In the 5000m, which is held as the Nation Championships, SKAAC had two representatives in Sam McEntee and Ben Moynihan. The race unfolded as a relatively easy first 3km (although many of us probably could not hold their pace) and then Stewart McSweyn lit the race up. Sam McEntee was the only athlete bold enough to make the move with him and ran in tandem with Stewart until two laps to go. Stewarts amazing form was on show as he went onto win solo with a 100plus meter gap to second. After a very gutsy run, Sam was able to hold on for 3rd place and a time of 13:49.28. Jack Holden has put in a fantastic season thus far “with probably his best run ever” in the zatopek in December, followed up with a 15sec PB tonight finishing 15th in 14:19.37, stepping up to 8th on the SKAAC All-time listings, with Ben Moynihan crossing the line in 14:38.54.
All records and rankings have been updated and cen be seen at www.skaac.com Can’t wait to see what all these athletes can do in SKAAC colours over the balance of the 2019/2020 track season and into the 2020 AV XCR and APSOC winter seasons Tristan Mioni
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