Athletics Update

Newsletter item – Tasmanian Institute of Sport, 5 June 2023

Athletics

Athletes have been busy in May working on their preparation for upcoming international competitions.

Stewart McSweyn achieved bronze at the Great Manchester Run over 10K in a time of 28:35.00 being eight seconds off the winner in a close finish which is a great lead in for the Florence Diamond League in June, where Stewart will compete in the 5000m.

Deon Kenzie, along with his Australian Team mates are currently in Flagstaff, USA at an altitude training camp preparing for the World International Para Championships held in July, in Paris, France.

Abbie Butler is preparing to depart for two international meets in London and Frankfurt respectively, from 12-26 June with the Australian U20 European Tour. Final preparations are being conducted in Launceston utilising our state-of-the-art altitude training room.

Jacob Despard finished fourth in the Taiwan Track and Field Championships Open 100m with a time of 10:42 (-1.1) concluding a solid training block in Hong Kong.  He now heads to Europe, based in London, in final preparations for World Championships in August. Jack Hale will join Jacob in mid-July for the 4x100m Diamond League Relay event in London.

The TIS Athletics Program welcomes new scholarship holders to #TeamTIS:

• Alex Wojcik – Decathlon
• Arielle Cannell – Hammer Throw
• Chelsea Scolyer – 100m/200m
• Jack Woodberry – 3000m
• Will Bottle – 10K / 20K Walk

The Athletics Tasmania Athlete of the Year Awards were held 27 May with TIS Athletes winning the following awards:

• Stewart McSweyn
  Open Male Athlete of The Year
  State Distance Walks Out of Stadium Award
  State Middle Distance and Walks In Stadium Award
• Alexander McKillop
  Open Para Athlete of the Year
• Jacob Despard
  State Sprint/Hurdles Award
• Abbie Butler
  State Women’sU20 Performing Athlete in Age Group
• Will Bottle
  State Men’s U20 Performing Athlete in Age Group
• Alex Wojcik
  U18 Performing Athlete in Age Group
• Arielle Cannell
  U16 Performing Athlete in Age Group
  State Throws Award
• Chelsea Scolyer
  State Sprints/hurdles Award

Congratulations to all the award-winning athletes and coaches.