Having represented the club consistently across season 2016-17, many OVA Southern Saints athletes now turn their attention to weekend’s Tasmanian Age Championships.

Among the outstanding amount of OVA athlete’s competing, Bec Kovacic will be one to watch in the U18 100m as she looks to improve on her 12.84s seed time. Joining her in the race will be Lydia Atrill, one of the seasons most improved performers, and Grace Jacobson; who continues to develop in both her sprinting and jumping events.

Sticking with the track, the battle for the men’s 800m shapes to be the event of the championships, pitting OVA’s Gus Tomlinson Smith, Callum Stevens and surprisingly Dusty Rankin against a quality field. Similarly, Torin Jones enters the 1500m with the fastest seed time of 4:03, however will have to work with fellow Southern Sainter’s Robert Elkerton, Joseph Dalco and Liam Watling in order to hold off his fast finishing training partners.

Turning to the field, Jacobson will be focused on her U18 long jump with only half a metre separating the top three seed performances. In one of her first major outings in the blue, green and gold, Hannah Steele has gone from strength to strength with the 500g javelin – undoubtedly inspired by OVA’s Kaela Beechey who will take to the U20 javelin herself following some impressive recent performances. 

Jumper and sprinter Lucy Carter lines up in a handful of events across the weekend, and will look to round out the season with some great times, including her U16 100m. Similarly in the U14 events, Oliver Blackburrow will turn his attention to both the track and field; as well as lining up for the club in the relays along side the ever improving Riley Griggs, and the combination of Josh and Mitchell Walker.

When discussing ‘ever improving’, one need not look further than Luke Vavoulas. Luke has had a breakout year under OVA coach Samuel Morey and will toe the line in the U15 800m.  Also under the guidance of Sam is Lochlan Bromfield, recent silver medalist in the state open 3,000m steeple chase. Lockie will look to continue his blistering end to the season in the 2,000m steeple against a quality field.

You’ll also need to pay close attention to catch Ava Faint across the weekend, as a quick search shows her entered in the U15 javelin, 400m, 1500m and 800m – not your usual combination of events. Our race walkers will also be out and about over the weekend, particularly Bayley Campbell, Alice Randall and Anna Blackwell who may all be looking towards the Australian Junior Championships next month.

Whilst still in the age championships, a great outlook for the club is presented in our U20 athletes. Continuing to develop into one of the state’s emerging jumpers, Ryan Cooper will aim to launch beyond his 13.80m triple jump mark. Marking a successful return to the track in the second half of 2016-17 will be Laura McShane in her 400m. Laura has been impressive in recent relays, 200m and 400m’s for the club and, along with the rest of the field, will be looking to get past that magical 60-second barrier.

The weekend also hosts some open events, in which club stalwart Mark Nichols will be in action in events such as the 400m, as well as lining up against fellow clubman John Howe in the 100m.

The 4x100m, 4x200m and 4x400m relays will also be a highlight, as the club fields strong teams across all the age groups. Athletes such as Callum Abbott and Elka Paprotny have both had outstanding seasons, and combined with the talents of Jamie Lawrence, Jack Lewis and Hannah Sheers just to name a few – this weekend will undoubtedly be another memorable one for the OVA Southern Saints.

These are just some of the OVA athletes in action across the weekend, so keep your eyes firmly in the field and on the track as we say good luck to all Athletics Tasmania members competing in the championships; with a special shout out to the volunteers, officials and particularly the OVA committee who have helped make the weekend possible.