Tell me what it takes to be number one?
Round 12 Shield Report
A strong performance at the last round of Athletics Victoria’s Shield Competition, on Thursday, 28th January at Aberfeldie has confirmed finals’ berths for Melbourne University Athletics Club’s five open teams. MUAC will be one of only three clubs in Victoria to send a team to the finals in all five open divisions (Divisions One and Two Women and Divisions One, Two and Three Men). The 2009/10 Track and Field season to date has been a highly successful one for MUAC and the winning ways look set to continue on Saturday, the 6th of February at the Region Finals.
The shock of round 12 came early with Paul Kennedy, undefeated for the season in the 2000m and 3000m Walk, finding himself in second place, beaten by MUAC teammate and Australian representative Tom Barnes. Paul, one of only two Melbourne University athletes to have completed all twelve rounds, has had a stellar season and was philosophical about his defeat at the hands of a hot prospect for the London Olympics.
Leon D’Onofrio and Kath Iannello (with a recent qualifying height for the National Championships) continued MUAC’s domination of the Pole Vault. Club President Steve Edwards returned to the Triple Jump runway after a long training and recovery period and posted a solid 12.78m to gain second place.
Sophie Barker and Hamish Beaumont ran well in the 3000m steeplechase to both cross the line first, with Beaumont recording a personal best of 10:32.4. Sophie is in fine form leading up to the state and national championships and looks primed to contend for the medals.
Melbourne University Athletics Club will be in action on Saturday, 6th of February at the Moonee Valley Athletic Centre, competing for championships and a position in the Athletics Victoria Shield Final on Saturday, 13th of February.
