A colder than usual December weekend welcomed round two of AVSL.
With competition underway at Knox, Ballarat, Bendigo, Doncaster, Geelong and Nunawading, a compilation of standout performances are listed below.
Knox saw Matt Carter’s talented sprint stable of Sophia Fighera, Alexia Loizou and Ebony Lane (all MPA) race the 100m and 400m double. Additionally, state team regular Shahd Mohamed (FKN) faced healthy competition from multi-eventer Mia Scerri (SAN).
Knox
Result: Heat #4 (NWI)
1 88 Sophia Fighera (MPA) 11.39 538 FOP
2 2302 Alexia Loizou (MPA) 11.47 532 FOP
3 2687 Ebony Lane (MPA) 11.50 530 FOP
Result: Heat #4
1 2302 Alexia Loizou (MPA) 54.77 509 FOP
2 2096 Kysha Praciak (MPA) 55.72 495 FOP
3 2687 Ebony Lane (MPA) 55.88 491 FOP
4 88 Sophia Fighera (MPA) 57.21 462 FOP
Result: Heat #1
1 229 Shahd Mohamed (FKN) 58.82 491 F18
2 144 Mia Scerri (SAN) 60.27 500 F16
Ballarat saw strong performances from local sprinters Cooper Sherman and Matthew O’Brien, with Sherman backing up in the 400m. With local depth on display, a strong junior women’s 100m heat saw Grace Kelly (BHA), Madison Wright (WEN) and Nyajima Jock (WEN) go head to head. Thrower Alyssa Benbow (EKA) similarly eclipsed the 500 point mark in the shot put.
Ballarat
Result: Heat #1. Wind: 3.1
1 234 Cooper Sherman (BHA) 10.82 527 M18
2 1578 Matthew O’Brien (BHA) 11.41 502 M16
Result: Heat #1
1 234 Cooper Sherman (BHA) 50.92 476 M18
Result: Heat #4. Wind: 1.1
1 287 Grace Kelly (BHA) 12.06 530 F16
2 273 Madison Wright (WEN) 12.20 521 F16
3 202 Nyajima Jock (WEN) 12.58 458 F20
Result: Heat #1
1 303 Alyssa Benbow (EKA) 13.95m 544 F14 (3kg)
Bendigo played host to 2019 Australian Champion Emma Berg (SBE), who continued her early-season preparations in the shot put circle.
Bendigo
Result: Heat #1
1 39 Emma Berg (SBE) 12.56m 479 F20 (4kg)
Doncaster was set alight by local under 14 Sienna Kurdian (BOH), who performed strongly across the sprint double. Para-sprinter Anthony Jorda (DAC) took full advantage of the blustery conditions, edging closer to the 12 second barrier. Frankston’s national junior age group record holder Aiden Hinson continued his return to the pit, leaping out to 14.63m, accompanied by training partner Elli Symonds, who doubled up in the pit and the throws circle.
Doncaster
Result: Heat #2. Wind: 1.8
1 1949 Sienna Kurdian (BOH) 12.82 502 F14
Result: Heat #4
1 1949 Sienna Kurdian (BOH) 58.46 548 F14
Result: Heat #5. Wind: 3.1
1 137 Anthony Jordan (DAC) 12.12 527 M16 (T47)
Result: Heat #1
1 128 Aiden Hinson (FKN) 14.63m 521 M18
Result: Heat #1
1 2444 Elli Symonds (FKN) 11.61m 532 F16
Result: Heat #2
1 2444 Elli Symonds (FKN) 11.60m 490 F16 (3kg)
Landy Field saw strong sprint performances from para-sprinter Eliesha Byrt (GLG) and under 14 Caleb Kilpatrick (CHI). In the throws circle, local legend para-thrower Marty Jackson (CHI) opened his AVSL account with a 13.74m throw, whilst Jackson coached under 18 Angus Alberts (CHI) continued a strong start to the season, with a 17.11m 5kg throw.
Geelong
Result: Heat #1
1 1510 Eliesha Byrt (GLG) 67.24 463 FOP (T20)
Result: Heat #2
1 309 Caleb Kilpatrick (CHI) 53.35 506 M14
Result: Heat #1
1 7 Marty Jackson (CHI) 13.74m M40 (5kg. F38)
Result: Heat #2
1 2163 Angus Alberts 17.11m; 16.66m; Foul; (CHI) 17.11m 525 M18 (5kg)
Bill Sewart Reserve presented near-Antarctic conditions, Old Melburnian’s sprinter Ross Hyne appeared unphased – completing a healthy sprint double. Multiple-time national medalist Shane Carstairs (WAM) returned to the circle, a 14.67m throw breaking the 500 point barrier. Paralympian Todd Hodgetts continued preparations for Tokyo 2021, as a 13.28m throw earned Ringwood 541 points.
Nunawading
Result: Heat #6
1 205 Ross Hyne (OLM) 10.97 497 M20
Result: Heat #6
1 205 Ross Hyne (OLM) 48.92 492 M20
Result: Heat #1
1 1290 Shane Carstairs (WAM) 14.67m 507 MOP (7.26kg)
Result: Heat #1
1 29 Todd Hodgetts (RWD) 13.28m 541 MOP (F20)
Werribbe saw a notable masters throwing display from Western Athletics’ Stan Peska, a 12.67m throw accumulating 541 points. Athletics Essendon under 20 Angus Wood leapt out to 14.64m in the triple jump, a 506 point performance.
Werribee
Result: Heat #1
1 2716 Stan Peska (WES) 12.67m 541 M60 (5kg)
Result: Heat #1
1 190 Angus Wood (ESS) 14.64m 506 M20
The MVP leaderboard remains well and truly occupied by Sienna Kurdian (BOH), increasing her statewide lead as the overall and women’s points leader. Casey Cardinia’s under 16 Joshua Sullivan leads the Men’s competition.
MVP Athlete (points)
Overall + Women’s Leader
1 Sienna Kurdian BOH 1509 F14
Men’s Leader
4 Joshua Sullivan CCA 1438 M16
AVSL Ladders
Premier Division
ESS Essendon 43,116
DON Doncaster 30,263
GHY Glenhuntly 24,512
Division 2
CHI Chilwell 23,575 10
SAN Sandringham 21,370 9
EAG Eaglehawk 18,530 8
Division 3
FKN Frankston 16,779 10
BGO Bendigo Harriers 13,821 9
WYN Wyndham 12,438 8
Division 4 (Both STK and COR used their Power Play)
STK St Kevins 13,950 20
COR Corio 12,691 18
DSA Dandenong-Springvale 7,742 8
Division 5
ASW Athletics South West 8,470 10
OLM Old Melburnians 4,660 9
SCA South Coast 3,772 8