2014 Victorian Open Track and Field Championships

Doncaster Athletics Club went into the Victorian Open Track & Field Championships with 19 competitors. A successful weekend brought the club 5 medallists and 11 finalists. Katherine Katsanevakis provided the highlight of the championships winning the sole Gold Medal for the Club. Katsanevakis returned to career best form producing a time of 2:03.12 to claim the win in the Women’s 800m. The Women’s 800m field was arguably the classiest field of the championships that included Olympian Kaila McKnight and World Championship Representative Kelly Hetherington. Jonathon Taylor made his debut in the U18 Decathlon; the mammoth two day event including 10 events saw him produce a Silver Medal performance with a total point score of 4920. 17 year old Natalie Rule ran a personal best to claim the Bronze Medal in a time of 4:23.97, a superb result for the junior athlete who sets her sights on the Australian Junior Championships in two weeks’ time.  Limited preparation due to injury did not get in the way of 400m Hurdler Wesley Spargo, claiming the Bronze Medal in a time of 54.09. A slow start out of the blocks was Courtney Yates’ sole downfall during her 100m Hurdles final, she recovered well to make up considerable ground on the field to come home in the Bronze Medal position in a time of 14.63. Other notable performances were Alex Di Medio (4th 400m Hurdles), Breanna Large (5^th Javelin Throw), Eddie Vining (5^th 800m), Bronte Gange (5^th 800m), Ryan Young (5^th Discus Throw), Courtney Yates (5^th High Jump), Kevin Rassool (8^th 200m). A number of Doncaster athletes are eyeing off the Australian Junior Championships, 13^th-16^th March and the Australian Athletics Championships, 3^rd-6^th April.