Gunn fires at Country Championships

19 Jan 2020

Gunn fires at Country Championships

Nearly 500 athletes from across the state, travelled to Dubbo for the 75th NSW Country Championships held over the last three days. With the fires across much of country NSW in past weeks, just getting to the start line was an achievement for some.

This was the situation for Batlow bushfire hero Jack Gould who won the under-18 400m and 800m double.

“I’m grateful mum and dad were able to bring me down as there are still fires in Batlow,” said Gould who ran 51.01 and 2:00.12 respectively.

“I have been unable to train. The last time I trained was on Christmas day, so I was pretty happy with two flat and 51 flat. I have been in my gym doing as much as I could there. The fires came through on New Years day and we have had terrible smoke for about three weeks.”

Despite being encouraged to evacuate Gould remained in Batlow to help fight the fires, helping save a number of friends houses.

“People have asked me if it was scary? But not really as I was too busy focusing, like you do when you are running. Same thing - you are in the zone. I was watching for spot fires and staying aware as you don’t want it to catch on fire.”

Jack’s younger brother was also in Dubbo, placing second in the under-15 800m with 2:21.04

Australia’s third fastest 400m athlete in 2019, Central Coast’s Tyler Gunn, confirmed he is back on track after injury, with a double in the open 200m and 400m. In the last two years he has been forced to withdraw from the 2018 World U20 Championships and 2019 World Championships due to a hamstring injury. In Dubbo, he cruised to a 400m win in 47.71. Earlier he had won the 200m in a PB time of 21.65.

“I’m happy with my season opener and in a PB,” declared Gunn of his 200m run.

However ahead of his pet event, the 400m, he was anxious.

“I was a bit nervous as I was seeing how the body was feeling ahead of my first 400m since injury. The plan today was just to run about 85% to 90% and hold form.”

He had to work over the last portion of the race.

“In the last 150m I was just just trying to hold form with my strength.”

It is still early days in his comeback.

“We are just going to take each comp and training session day at a time, but our plans may change.”

But is goal remains the same.

“Hopefully we can get a good 4x400m team and qualify for the Olympics.”

In the 200m Tyler Gunn defeated a strong 200m field with IBS’s Lachlan Parry second in a quick 21.70, with Mingara pair Jack Vane-Tempest and Matthew Winsor battling for the bronze - claimed by Jack 22.09 to Matthew’s 22.11. Parry won the 100m in a very swift 10.85, with Winsor getting on the podium in third with 11.10.

The sister of Tyler Gunn, Katie enjoyed a successful carnival. She claimed the U18 and open long jump titles with leaps of 5.84m and 5.64m. She also added the triple jump and 200m to her gold medal haul.

Katie Gunn’s under-18 200m win was over a quality field in 25.16, ahead of Tiahna Skelton (WAL) 25.17, Georgia Munro (MQH) 25.26, Emma Matthews (IBS) 25.49 and Emma Cotton (MQH) 25.59. Skelton, an Oceania champion, did reach the top of the podium in three other events 400m hurdles (64.31), 100m hurdles (14.99) and 400m (57.40).

Disqualified in the 100m, Zen Clark had no trouble winning the under-20 200m in a very good time of 21.65 into a 2.2m/s wind.

Possibly the best performance of the meet was achieved by 15-year-old Ashlyn Blackstock (EAS) in the under-17 discus with a throw of 48.46m. It was the second longest of her career and very close to the World U20 Championships standard of 49.25m. She also won three other titles – the open discus (46.41m), under-17 shot (13.79m – 3kg) and open shot (11.95m – 4kg).

Some fields were small, but there was still some terrific competition. One athlete, the very talented Ben James (CES) was locked in two battles. In the under-20 long jump, James led the competition with his second-round effort of 7.12m, just ahead of Liam Fairweather (RAY) with leaps of 7.03m and 7.08m. But in the last round Fairweather launched himself out to 7.20m to take the win. Then in the high jump, Ben James was again in a battle, this time with IBS’s Corey Williams. Both athletes were over 1.90m at the first attempt, then James need a second attempt to clear 1.95m, while Williams was over cleanly. With both missing 2.00m the previous height was the decider with Williams taking gold and James silver. James did however take two gold medals in the under-20 triple jump with an excellent leap of 14.15m and the 110m hurdles 15.61.

There was a close battle on the track in the under-16 2000m steeplechase with Caleb Bettison (ARM) just defeating William Dyball (NOW) 6:50.01.

Rio Paralympian, Erin Cleaver (MQH), started her campaign towards Tokyo 2020, with 3.82m in the long jump and 15.58 in the 100m.

A sprinter on the rise is Tamworth’s Liam Gordon who won the under-15 double in 12.25 and 24.51. North Coast’s Molly O’Neill (MIN) was the best of the walkers, clocking 15:48.21 to win the open 3000m event. Melissa Holahan (WAL) was the class in the master’s hammer throw nailing a mark of 41.29m. She had good competition in the open event, won by Ashleigh McInerney with a throw of 43.24, ahead of Holahan 40.41m. But Ebony Hay was the best on day, with her third-round throw of 44.11m in the under-20 hammer event.

There was some quality women’s high jumping with Alexandra Harrison (COF) over 1.70m in the under-20 event and Emily Whelan (ADA) with a first attempt clearance at 1.75m.

Wollongong’s Mary Thomas (IBS) who debuted in this event 60 years ago in 1961, won four throws titles in the 70+ years division - hammer (31.06m), discus (21.26m), javelin (17.33m) and shot (8.65m). Her teammate Gianna Mogentale (IBS) dominated the 50-59 age with wins in the 100m (13.79), 200m (28.95), 400m (67.98), 800m (2:47.87), long jump (3.91m) and triple jump (8.87m).

Some other notable performances: George Fuller 6.63m in the under-17 long jump, Kurt Rutter 1.78m in the under-15 high jump and Josh Kalozi (GOU) 13.78 in the under-16 100m hurdles.

Images of the weekend can be purchased here: https://geosnapshot.com/e/nsw-country-track-and-field-championships/10537

Full results: http://www.nswathletics.info/liveresults/

David Tarbotton for Athletics NSW

Image: Ashlyn Blackstock (courtesy of Zoe Monaro)