MUAC raring to go in 2016
AV Shield Round 8
A passell of MUAC headed east to Bill Sewart Athletics Track, full of festive cheer and fitness after training camps at Falls Creek and Melbourne University’s Rawlinson track to kick of a 2016 of athletics that will peak with the Olympic Games in Rio. Strong performances took MUAC’s Division 1 teams to first (Men, 726 points) and second (Women, 228 points). Two rounds remain in the regular AV Shield season with the final just a month away, and likely to feature MUAC’s two teams in contention for the title. The standard of competition was bolstered by athletes from Athletics Australia’s U19 squad who are based at Trinity College, overlooking the Rawlinson, for a week long camp.
MUAC athletes were out in force helping out the club too, as triple jump assistants throughout the day. A big thanks to them all. Without this help the competitions don’t happen.
Leading the way for the men was Joel Baden, clearing 2.24m in the High Jump for the victory, before three attempts at 2.29m, the Olympic Qualifying height. Nick Earl also took the win in the 3000m in 8:37.07 after a solid stint at Falls Creek. The Women’s 4x400m team put together a strong performance with Carmen Deane going head to head with Australian 400m Champion Morgan Mitchell in the anchor leg. Deane’s teammates had given her a solid lead with a lap to go and the victory was delivered in 4:07.85. Hannah Alderton completed the High Jump double for MUAC, winning in 1.70m, her first competitive outing for the season and a good sign leading up to AV Shield Final. Athletes from both teams stepped up to do an extra event or join a relay to support the sash and get MUAC to the finals.
MUAC will be back in action next Saturday, 16th of January for Round 9 of AV Shield at Lakeside Stadium.
