IPSWICH and District Athletics Club competitors collected an impressive haul of eight gold, four silver and six bronze medals at the recent Secondary School State Championships at QEII.
The club’s terrific array of talent was showcased at school level across a range of events.
One of the brightest stars was Filoi Aokuso, of Westside Christian College, whose throw broke the record of former club athlete Deborah Acason (nee Lovely).
Aokuso threw a personal best 51.40m in the 18-19 years discus to better Lovely’s standard set in 2001.
The throw also qualifies Filoi for the World Junior Championships in Oregon, USA, in July.
Another athlete to set a new record was Cassie Purdon of Faith Lutheran College Plainland.
She leapt 1.76m in the 17 years high jump to beat the 2005 record by 1cm.
Purdon attempted the World Junior height of 1.82m but just failed in the windy conditions.
Her main aim is the State Youth and Australian Youth Championships in Sydney in February and March.
Joshua Stockill, also from Faith Lutheran College, ran a well-judged race to secure gold in the 17 years 400m hurdles. It was not until the last hurdle that Stockill made an almighty effort to overcome Jordan Spyro of The Springfield College.
Both athletes were in the Met West team.
Larissa Chambers won four gold medals from four races. She ran with raw determination to clinch the 100m in 12.17, 200m in 24.66 and 400m in 57.34 (a personal best).
Chambers was also part of the winning Met West 4 x 100m relay team.
Her immediate sights are on the State Youth and Australian Youth Championships in February and March once her year 12 studies are complete.
Other placegetters included Natalie Davison (4x100m relay), Carley Stieler (high jump), Majella Cassidy (90m hurdles), Dayspring Koop (javelin), Emily Beston (steeple chase), Ashlee Stieler (90m hurdles), Madeline McGuire (400m hurdles and 800m), Johnathon Taylor (200m and 4x100m relay) and Clinton Suthers (1500m).
Tanika Marshall was one of the unlucky athletes who did not get a medal. She lost on a count back in the high jump and was 1cm shy of a medal in the triple jump.
