A premiership eluded Box Hill Athletic Club at AV Shield Final, but there were some good team results and a particularly strong performance from our under 14 girls. This promising group of young athletes missed out on a premiership by the narrowest of margins.
Eight out of nine Box Hill teams have qualified for the AV Shield Final, which will be held at Lakeside Stadium on Saturday, 10 February.
Box Hill’s under 18 women’s team made up some much-needed ground last weekend, while other teams held their strong position going into the Christmas break. The under 16 men’s team will also have to maximise points in the remaining AV Shield rounds after Christmas in order to qualify for the final.
Box Hill teams men’s teams are in the top two in Men’s Division 1, Over 40, Under 18 and Under 14, and are a close third in the Under 16 division. Our women’s teams are in the top two in Division 1, Under 16 and Under 14, and are a close third in the Under 18 division. It is possible that all nine of our teams could qualify for the Shield Final on February 10, so we need as many athletes as possible contesting the remaining rounds.
Despite the inclement weather, we managed to get through the whole program and there were some outstanding performances – including two new club records! Congratulations to Mac Anderson, who ran 9:06.2 for 3000m to break the U15 club record and to Anastasia Purcell whose time of 56.00 broke the club 400m record for the U16 and U17 age groups.
There is some controversy about the interpretation of the Shield rules regarding abandoned competition. Since competition at both Yarra Ranges and Doncaster were incomplete due to the weather, this round might not count for finals eligibility.
Athletes were spread across Melbourne on Saturday, with most of our athletes competing at Knox, but some competing at Werribee.
Numbers were down in some age groups at Nunawading last Saturday. Thank you to all those who acted as club helpers!
Box Hill’s men’s teams dominated white zone in Round 2 of AV Shield competition, which was held at Frankston and Werribee.
Box Hill had a good showing in some age groups in round 1 of Shield competition on October 7 despite many athletes missing from competition.