Vetrunner May 2010 - ACT Veterans Athletics Club

Janice Banens, only just home from successfulparticipation at the World Masters Athletics IndoorChampionships in Kamloops, Canada, was awarded thismonth’s ‘Oscar’ for a javelin throw that had to be seen to bebelieved. One of her throws of the javelin went up, turnedbackwards and twisted in the air before landing on its tail.If anybody else had produced such a throw it would nothave been so spectacular; but Janice won a silver medal inthis event in Kamloops. She also has the benefit of beingcoached by husband Bob who won gold, as well as setting anew Australian Record for the javelin at the World Indoors.(This is only the second occasion ‘Oscar’ has been presented.Trish Thomas bought the Academy Award figurine backfrom Hollywood late last year with the aim of presenting itto the member who had the most spectacular/unusual and/or humorous performance of theafternoon. Some have rudelysuggested it be titled ‘Drama Queenof the Month’).Three of our five Canberrarepresentatives who participated inthe World Indoors competed in thismonth’s throwing handicap. Janicewon gold medals in the hammer(34.00m), shot put (7.60m) andheavy weight (12.47m); a silver inthe javelin and bronze in the discus.Bob won gold in the javelin (49.22m)and bronze in the discus. EvergreenRad Leovic won gold for the M803000m, silver medals for 1500m,80m hurdles and long jump and abronze in the high jump. Our othertwo club members who enjoyed theKamloops experience were multieventerRoger Pilkington andsprinter Ken Telfer.Nola De Chazal and Jean Heath had a big weekendplanned. They participated in an 11km section of theCanberra Two Day Walk before coming to the handicapand were due to walk even further the following day.Duncan Macnicol also had a busy end of the week; onThursday night at the track he collected the trophy forwinning this season’s Daniels Sprint Handicap Series aswell as being the popular recipient of the National HeartFoundation Trophy, then on Saturday morning warmed-upfor the throws by paddling in dragon boat races.Robin Whyte, last month’s winner, was unable todefend his one and only monthly handicap win because hewas well on his way driving towards Perth to participate inthe Nationals. However, he was resourceful as he hadpacked a javelin (and perhaps other throwing implements?)in his van with the intention of having a few practicethrows while crossing the Nullarbor.Thirty (30) participated in this month’s handicapcompetition in hammer and javelin on a very hot andhumid afternoon.Best hammer throws were by Kevin Blewitt with amighty PB of 39.13m, Jayne Hardy 38.43, Bob BanensMay 2010 Vetrunner – Page 23KAMLOOPS MEDALLIST WINS ‘OSCAR’ FORBACK SOMERSAULT WITH HALF TWIST198 th Monthly Throwing Handicap — 27 March 201036.92, Ray Green 36.78, Janice Banens 33.99, PeterShumack 30.09 and Raylea Rudov 28.72m. The winners ofthe handicapped hammer section were Peter Shumackfrom Joan Mallory and Peter Neill.Longest javelin throws were by Bob 38.27m, Jayne33.45, Kevin 30.89, Ray 29.21, Peter 27.90 and ColinRobbie 26.74m. The winners of the handicapped javelinsection were Kevin Blewitt from Jayne Hardy and FrankNugent.When the combined distances of both throws wereadded to each person’s handicap the perpetual trophy andgold medal for this month’s competition went to KevinBlewitt. Joan Mallory won the silver medal and RayleaRudov the bronze. Eight of the first ten places were bywomen, only Kevin and Frank Nugent (5 th ) prevented aclean sweep.This was Kevin’s fifth victory from94 competitions. His previous winswere in July 1999, April andSeptember 2000, and March 2006.This month’s lucky draw for the finebottle of red kindly donated byBjarne Kragh of SouthsidePhysiotherapy and Sports InjuryCentre in Tuggeranong andFyshwick was appropriately won byJen Bourke who was celebrating her70 th birthday. Bjarne has also offereda $5 discount per consultation tomembers.With only two monthly handicapcompleted, and eight more to come,the top ten in the 2010 ConnellSeries are – Raylea Rudov leads with93.5 points followed by FrankNugent 91.5 then Peter Shumack88.5, Joan Mallory 86, Jayne Hardy 85, Margaret Taylor83, Jean Thew and Nola De Chazal 81 each, Trish Thomas79.5 and Narelle Blackaby on 75 points.Ten, of which six were women, then participated in thestandard heavy weight throw. Bob threw furthest with atoss of 14.01m. Other big throws were by Raylea 13.14,Kevin 12.97, Janice 12.85 and Jayne 11.76m.Next month’s handicap will be in shot and discus at1.00pm at Masson Street Throwing Field Saturday 24 April(duty team members are Narelle Blackaby, DiannBramwell, Frank Nugent and Wendy O’Brien). Then 29May in hammer and javelin (duty team: Robert Kennelly,Claire Perry, Col Robbie and Mary Wahren). Note that theMay event will be our 200 th Monthly Throwing Handicap. Itis hoped that this will be a memorable occasion and will befollowed by a special celebratory dinner at the BelconnenSoccer Club in Hawker that evening. The June handicapwill be on 26 June in shot and discus (duty team: JohnHunt, Jean and Kerry Thew and George Mencik). Then 24July, 28 August, 25 September, either 23 or 30 October(tba) and to wind up the year 27 November.(Your throws reporter Bryan Thomas).