Aspiring Athletics Club (AAC) athletes attended the Otago club championships in Dunedin recently (February 14-15), with some recording personal best (PB) performances.

AAC head coach Michael Beable said athletes had to contend with wind and rain, and cool temperatures, but some “shone through”.

These included Lily Lake (14) with a PB in the 100m (13.17s), Ruby Swamy (14) with PBs in the long jump (4.79m) and 100m (13.54s), Jared Anoka (13) in the 100m (14.02), and Ryan Enoka (19) in the MU20 shot put (10.29m - 6kg weight).

Not to be outdone by the juniors, local physiotherapist and new AAC member Tim Smith had “a standout performance” in the Masters’ 45-49 category at the Otago champs, Michael said.

“[He won] his 60m in a remarkable 8.01s - 32 years since his last competitive sprint.”

Te Kura o Tititea Mount Aspiring College (MAC) students in the training group now shift their attention to the Otago Secondary School Championships in Dunedin on March 13-14. Those who finish in the top three in their events will qualify for the South Island Secondary School (SISS) Championships in Christchurch on March 28-29, capping off their season.

However the SISS competition might be “a bit too soon” for long-sprint specialist Phoebe Laker, now in Year 13 at MAC, Michael said. 

“She has been working hard over the holidays, in rehab mode, to recover from a lower limb injury incurred late last year,” he said 

“Current holder of the NZ U18 and Australian U17 400m titles, as well as all the Otago Women’s 400m records from ages 13 to 19, Phoebe should be returning to competition before too long; hopefully, in time for the Australian Athletics Championships in Brisbane in April, and then the Oceania Championships in Darwin in May.” 

Meanwhile, Ryan Young, a long-time member of the AAC, continues to impress as an emerging national triple jumper, Michael said.

Ryan finished second in the Senior Men’s event, behind Yuto Adachi from Japan, at the Christchurch International Track Meeting (ITM) at the Nga Puna Wai Sports Complex on Saturday February 24.

“Ryan leapt to within 2cm of his personal best, producing an excellent 14.49m into a strong headwind (-1.9m/s), further underlining his potential,” Michael said. 

He said it was encouraging to see Ryan finish 26cm ahead of third-placegetter Matt Walsh, who had claimed the triple jump title at Athletics New Zealand’s inaugural short-course national championships in Hastings last month.

Ryan’s next goal is to do well at the NZ National Championships in Auckland, March 5-8.

PHOTOS: Supplied