The WORD according to Max........... ATHLETES BRING THEIR BEST TO CHAMPIONSHIPS Diamond Valley Athletic Club juniors, Eliza Clarke, 14, Thomas Wilson, 16, and Jaryd Clifford, 15, have all produced out their best efforts at the 2014 Australian All Schools Track & Field Championships. In the Women Under 16 3000m Walk, Eliza Clarke crossed the line in 13:41.13, twelve seconds ahead of her nearest rival. Clarke had lowered her previous best time for the distance by fourteen seconds. Clarke has now won gold in the Walks events at three consecutive national Championships. Sprinter and Long Jumper, Thomas Wilson, got his program at this year’s Championships off to a flying start. On his first attempt, Wilson landed a jump measured at 7.19m from the take-off board. This was a big personal best effort by Wilson, whose previous best leap was 6.99m. Only for the 2.6m tailwind, the leap would have set a new Open age record for DVAC. Wilson’s form in his three other attempts were all good, but two were ruled as fouls. His 7.19m leap was still enough to give him the bronze medal. Jaryd Clifford, 15, won the silver medal in the 800m Para event. Competing as a T12 athlete, Clifford completed the 800m in 2:04.60. In his second event for the Championship, the Men Under 16 3000m, Clifford gave himself every chance of snaring the bronze medal when he launched an attack from 200m out from the line. In the finish, Clifford had to settle for fourth place, but his time of 9:09.02 had lowered his previous best time by five seconds. It also established a new Australian record as the fastest ever time by a T12 athlete over the 3000m distance. Round 7 of the Athletics Victoria Shield competition was a successful meeting for the Valley with seven of the eleven divisions winning top points for the day. Those teams to finish Round 7 on top of their respective ladders for the round were: Men 40+, Men U20, Men U16, Men U14, Women 40+, Women Under 16 and Women Under 14. In the 4x100m Relays, DVAC teams were able to cross the finish line ahead of their opposition in six of the divisions. These were the Women 40+, Women Under 16, Men Open, Men 40+ and Men Under 16. Alexandra Warwick led the times for the DVAC Women in both the 100m, 13.04, and the 400m, 64.41. Alana Toso, U18, who was clocked at 13.13, was close behind Warwick in the 100m. Iain Douglas led the times for the Valley men in both the 100m, 11.60, and the 400m, 48.77. Linden Marsh, U20, who is having a strong season in the sprints, was timed at 11.85 in the 100m. Jarrod Robinson, U18, finished the 400m in a time of 49.00. Rory Kelham recorded the fastest time over the 1500m for the Valley men. His time was 4:05.4. Aaron McKenzie, U18, lowered his 1500m time to 4:16.3. Two juniors to shine in the demanding Steeplechase runs were Taylor Langford, U14, and Jarrod Woods, U18. Langford went under 7 minutes for the 2000m Steeple for the first time with a time of 6:59.8 while Woods took to the Steeple with instant success, clocking 6:49.9 for the 2000m Steeple. Lachlan Higgs, U18, recorded the best Javelin throw for the Valley men, sending it a distance of 39.93m. Emma Hannon, U16, had her best throw with the Javelin measured at 33.56m. Hannon also led the club in the Long Jump with a jump of 4.45m. Laurence Schubert, U20, sent the Discus out a distance of 31.81m. Best performer for the DVAC women with the Discus was Ashleigh Hamilton, who threw the Discus a distance of 32.75m. Josh Logan, U18, landed a Long Jump at 5.93m, to head the DVAC men’s efforts. Gaelyne Kenshole, W40+, covered the 80m Hurdles in 13.86. Emerson Shiel, U16, went over the 100m Hurdles in 14.09. DVAC athletes will compete in Athletic Victoria’s new competition, the AV Knockout, at two separate venues, on Sunday 14 December.
Posted on: Sun, 07 Dec 2014 20:44:45 +0000