Victorian Youth T&F Champs
26-28 February 2010, Olympic Park
KICKING GOLDS IN MIDDLE DISTANCE
Dean Neofitou (pic at right), 14, of the Diamond Valley Athletic Club, stamped himself as an emerging talent in Middle Distance running by winning both the 800m and the 1500m events in the Men Under 15 age group at the Victorian Youth Track and Field Championships. Collectively, the Valley's junior athletes took out eleven medals over the week-end, while Ashleigh Hamilton won the Victorian Women's Open Heptathlon and DVAC athletes were able to win three medals in the Open Relay Championships that were also featured in the same program.
In both of his wins, Neofitou showed tactical maturity, keeping himself in a handy position at all times and judging his 'kick' to the line to perfection. Neofitou won the 800m in 2:06.37 to claim a long-standing DVAC club record. His winning time for the 1500m was 4:23.91.
Ashleigh Hamilton won the Women's Open Heptathlon in convincing fashion, amassing a tally of 4726 points over the two-day event. Hamilton outperformed all of her competitors in five of the seven events. In the Long Jump, Hamilton bettered her own Under 20 club record with a leap of 5.70m.
Anika Peachey (pic at right) completed a busy schedule over the Championships, competing in all four of the throws events.
Peachey won Gold in the Hammer Throw with a personal best throw of 39.14m.
Her other medal winning performance was in the Discus Throw where she was placed second with a throw of 32.15m.
Olivia Getson won her first State title by taking out the Women's Under 18 400m. Getson, who was the fastest qualifier, won the final with a personal best effort of 59.58.
Monica Brennan, competing in the Under 17 age group, was placed second in both the 100m and 200m. Her time for the 100m was 12.50, and in the 200m Brennan finished in 25.2.
Paul Townsend completed a weekend of quality running in both the 1500m and the 3000m. Townsend lowered his time for the 3000m to 9:13.42. In the 1500m, Townsend finished in 4:17.42, a time equal to his previous best.
Throwers, Andrew Stirling, Frank Peachey and Matt Owen, took on the might of Victorian Throwers and walked away with Bronze medals in the Shot Put relay and the Discus relay.
Cooper Owen lowered his own club record for the Men's Under 14 1500m Walk to 7:27.18. Owen's effort earned him the Silver medal.
Catherine Brennan, Leah Phillips, Ashleigh Hamilton and Monica Brennan (pic at right) won a silver medal in the Open Women's 4x100m relay. Their time of 48.05 equalled the club record.
Matthew Sholakis, U17, lowered his time for the 400m to 51.58 when he was placed third in the final. In the final of the 800m, Sholakis went through the first lap in 58 seconds and finished in 2:02.19 to be placed fourth.
Linden Marsh, Under 16, made the final of both the 100m and the 200m.
Article and results compiled by Max Balchin. Videos courtesy of Athletics Victoria
Women Heptathlon Open
Ashleigh Hamilton 4726 points (Final/1st)
100m Hurdles 14.96; High Jump 1.61m; Shot Put 11.62m; 200m 26.50; Long Jump 5.70m; Javelin Throw 27.29m; 800m 2:41.3;
Results: Junior Women
Results: Junior men
Relay Championships Women
4x100m: Ashleigh Hamilton, Monica Brennan, Leah Phillips, Catherine Brennan 2nd 48.05**
Relay Championships Men
Shot Put: Andrew Stirling (9.93m), Matt Owen (8.68m), Frank Peachey (8.26m) 3rd (Final);
Discus: Andrew Stirling (29.24m); Matt Owen (25.73m); Frank Peachey (21.63m)