News

Q&A WITH KEELY & ELYSSIA, TRIVIA NIGHT, RESULTS

Published Mon 11 Mar 2024

NOW FOR THE 2024 AUSTRALIAN TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS

The 2024 Victorian Track & Field Championships are now over & it’s all systems go in the lead up to the 2024 Nationals that are to be held in Adelaide from April 11 – 19. There will be a large contingent of Valley juniors heading to Adelaide as well as a number of our Open age athletes. Two of these are Keely Boyne and Elyssia Kenshole.

Read below how the two are planning their approach to this year’s Nationals.

KEELY BOYNE

Hi Keely,

Huge congrats on yesterday. First time under 14 for the 100m Hurdles & 6^th time under 12sec for the 100m this season.

A new DVAC club record for the 100m Hurdles (13.73) – breaking the record set by Simone Purvis who was such a great athlete. Silver medals at the State Champs in the 100m & 100m Hurdles.

Q: What are you drawing from the recent results?

From the recent results, it gives me heaps of confidence going into nationals, as now I’m no longer a 14s runner, but 13s which means potential national final! So many positives, and have the confidence to attack the hurdles and not be fearful of them. For the 100, to run another 11s run (with 1.5 head wind, 1 hour after my hurdles and in 34° heat) means that I’m in shape and PB form and can definitely run faster!

Q: What is your program like leading up to this year’s Nationals?

Coming up to nationals, I am going to Sydney to run at NSW state championships (15-17 March) to hopefully get some more competition and exposure to more athletes who can run 13s, I’ll also do the last 2 high velocity’s (Maddy and I want to break our record in the 4x200 coming up) and we will have a pretty big block of training to do the last bit of prep for nationals.

Q: What does your average Training week look like?

Training week is Monday - gym & track, Wednesday - gym & track, Thursday - track, Friday – gym.

Q: The athlete that you draw inspiration from. Why?

4. It’s always and will be Sally Pearson, she has been my idol for as long as I can remember, but as of more recent, Liz Clay, her determination and continued persistence drives me to keep going, even when things get tough, and she’s an amazing hurdler.

Q: A favourite food? Gym exercise? Mindset habit? Recovery routine?

Favourite food - pasta, gym exercise - power cleans, mindset habit - it’s my lane and I only have to worry about myself, as well as my 100m race plan, recovery routine - compression boots, walking my dog, mobility/stretching and sleep!!

Q: The track that you are listening to at the moment?

Unwritten - Natasha Bedingfield

Q: The place in Japan that you would go back to visit again?

I would go everywhere in Japan again, but to be specific Arashiyama in Kyoto

ELYSSIA KENSHOLE

Saw you go over 3.90m at the Vic Champs & clear it by a country mile! I'm sure there is a huge clearance around the corner soon. (Elyssia claimed the 2023 Open Women’s Australian Pole Vault Championship with a clearance over 4.20m.)

Yeah had some good attempts this weekend at a pb, but state chaps just wasn’t my day.

Q: What is your program like leading up to Nationals?

I’ve got a few more comps in the lead up to nationals. The Coburg invitational (24th march), Sydney invitational (28th march). Then maybe a rare air somewhere in there too.

Q: What does your training week look like?

My training week in the lead up to nationals has taken a step back in the last few weeks after having some minor injuries, and a concussion. But now we are ready to focus on a few details on perfecting the jump.

My week consists of 2 heavy weight gym sessions, 3 pole vault sessions, 2 running sessions, 1 gymnastics session and either comp day or rest day depending on the week.

Q: The athlete that you draw inspiration from? Why?

The athlete I get my inspiration and motivation from is my Mum; everyone who knows us knows that we are always together, training and pushing each other to our limits and I definitely wouldn’t be the athlete I am today without her. From her driving me everywhere even now at the age of 20, to paying for all the travelling and competitions for not only me but my coach as well.

Q: A favourite food? Gym exercise? Mindset habit? Recovery routine?

My favourite food… I don’t think I can go past a home made fried rice.

My favourite Gym exercises is definitely heavy weight cleans and snatches just because they make me feel really strong :)

My mindset routine for a comp is pretty simple, I really try and keep my mind a clear as possible which for me allows things to go a lot more smoothly. But it is very easy to get caught up in everything that is happening out in the field. Making sure I am focusing on myself as that’s the only thing I can control. But it’s always good to have a bit of a chat with the girls and boys out there as well as the officials.

My recovery routine is pretty simple, on a comp week I will have a lower body massage every second to third day. To try and keep on top of my pain in my feet. Once again this is only possible because of my Mum, doing home massages. As well as using recovery boots to help with blood flow and enhanced recovery.

Q: A track you are listening to at the moment?

I love to listen to anything country or 2012-2018 hits. Just to chill out on the drive then my music is off as soon as I walk in the gates of the track, ready to focus and ready to jump.

Q: A favourite part of the world that you have been to?

My most favourite place that I’ve traveled has to be Greece, it was my first place to have traveled to compete overseas after not being able to go to world juniors. Greece was the next best option as it is Bills (my coach) home country so it was amazing to go there and see where he grew up and meet everyone that has helped me get where I am today, was just an incredible experience.

DVAC TRIVIA NIGHT

Diamond Valley Trivia Night - Saturday March 9^th

Despite the searing heat, a long weekend and Victorian Little Athletics conducting their State Championships, 79 athletes, family and friends ventured out and then into the cool environment of the Willinda Park function room for an evening of entertaining Trivia hosted by Michelle and Keith King.

Over the past year the Diamond Valley Athletic Club ably supported by the Banyule Council has invested considerably towards infrastructure and equipment with the largest equipment expenditure being in Pole Vault and Throws. Our finances remain healthy largely due to regular fundraising through the efforts and donations of many. It is important that we recognise the huge amount of work by Michelle and Keith who year after year have organised a fundraising Trivia Night along with Bunnings Bar B Qs, Pie Drives and Wine sales (commemorating our historic AVSL Win in 2023).

The 79 guests were organised onto ten tables and over ten Rounds of brain sapping questions the battle for supremacy on the night raged on. In the end it was Table #5 – Fabio’s Noodles – then emerged supreme. Congratulations to Dylan Littlejohn, Jarryd Cripps, Caden Murray, Ally, & Brodie McCarthy.

The generosity of local business & member donations meant that the Raffles on the night not only added to the fundraising but rewarded the lucky winners with rich pickings.

Thank you to Michelle and Keith.

DVAC RESULTS ROUNDUP

HIGH VELOCITY CLUB/ AV THROWERS

Meet #4

Saturday 9^th March 2024

Lakeside Stadium

DVAC Results:

Female OP
100m: Keely Boyne 11.93 (-1.5); Mia Spencer 12.34 (0.9); Katie Oliver 12.36 (4.0); Aris Patsouras 12.55 (0.9); Elisha Blair 12.91 (0.9); Olivia Sheens 13.35 (0.9);
Hammer: Briony Rheuben DNS;
Male OP
100m: Hayden Moon 11.36 (2.6); Asher Andrews 11.37 (-0.1);
400m: Asher Andrews DNS;
Female 84
100m Hurdles: Keely Boyne 13.73 (1.4);
Male 91
110m Hurdles: Asher Andrews 15.59 (1.0);