Great Scot April 2019 Great Scot_156_April_2019_Online | Page 85

Athletics
(LEFT) JAMES
GEORGES
(’15). (CENTRE)
HARRISON CARR
(’16), ED BEISCHER
(’17) AND JAMES
LIGHTFOOT (’17)
COMPETING IN THE
UNDER 20 1500M.
(RIGHT) CHRIS
PAPAPETROU (’18).
Athletics Club: a premiership
season on the track
An outstanding Old Scotch under 20
premiership capped off a long but exciting
day for Old Scotch Athletics Club at the 2019
Athletics Victoria State Shield Final, held at
Lakeside on 23 February. The open team also
performed creditably, occupying third place for
most of the day before finally being nudged out
to fourth. The under 16 team made the final,
and finished a very creditable sixth out of 11
teams. This is the best Old Scotch Athletics
Club performance for more than 10 years, and
the club is delighted with the enthusiasm of the
group and the obvious enjoyment they take in
competing.
The big performers for the day were Ed
Beischer (‘17) who tackled five under 20 events
(100m, 400m, 1500m, long jump and javelin);
Cam Mackenzie (Year 11) who managed three
personal bests (including an excellent 36.67m
in the discus) among his four events; James
Georges (‘15) who scored numerous points
for the open team, including a personal best
in the long jump; and Tom Russell (‘12) who
participated in four events for the open team.
Evergreen Andrew Jamieson (‘64), who holds
many Victorian, Australian and world walking
records, again scored the highest points in a
single event in his 2km walk.
During the under 16 final, all four of our
1500m runners ran personal best times —
Zac Holden, Tom Worsteling (Year 10), Rob
Barber (Year 9) and Fred Leeton (Year 9) — a
wonderful team effort. James Rentschler (‘05)
achieved personal bests in both the 100m
and discus, Benjamin Beischer (Year 12)
ran a personal best 1500m, and Sebastian
Brasington (Year 11) smashed his own best
mark in the 2km steeplechase.
In the sprint events, Chris Papapetrou (‘18)
took the honours for the fastest 400m of the
day by just .02 seconds from Harrison Carr
(‘16), while in the 100m, Stephen Liu’s (‘17)
time was only .02 seconds faster than Chris’.
In speed events, those little things really count.
Old Scotch team members who competed
in the finals were:
Open (fourth): Andrew Jamieson, James
Georges, Harrison Carr, Pete Simm (‘93), Tom
Russell, James Rentschler and Rob Belton (‘96)
Under 20 (premiers): Cameron Mackenzie
(Year 11), Ed Beischer, Ben Beischer (Year
12), James Lightfoot (‘17), Tom Bowers, Chris
Papapetrou, Stephen Liu (‘17) and Jack
Polkinghorne (Year 11)
Under 16 (sixth): Josh Bienert (Year 9),
Mari Campbell, Mac Debeljak (Year 8), Olivia
Nigido-Scott, Beth Campbell, Tom Worsteling,
Zac Holden, Rob Barber and Fred Leeton.
Six of our athletes competed in the
Australian Championships in Sydney in early
April. The APS Old Collegians’ (APSOC)
winter cross country season began on 13
April at Scotch and concludes in August.
Anyone interested in joining us for some
winter runs — and there is no such thing as a
necessary standard or age — is encouraged to
contact Pete Simm (‘93) on 0407 065 560 for
more information. It’s a great way to get fit or
build stamina and strength in a non-pressure
environment, and the afternoon teas are a
highlight!
Between APSOC events, our keener
athletes are competing in the APS United team
during the Athletics Victoria season. (More
information: http://apsoc.net.au.)
The supportive team spirit at Old Scotch
Athletics Club is a credit to all involved.
The emphasis has been on participation
and earning points for the team, and good
individual and team performances, as we have
seen, naturally flow from this positive team
environment. Gregor Evans (‘68) and David
Lightfoot have spent many hours coaching and
encouraging our athletes, and their efforts have
undoubtedly been a catalyst in our revival.
We also have a supportive group of parents,
and this is also a major positive for us. The
club is building an enviable reputation as an
enjoyable and supportive club for male and
female athletes.
We have been very pleased to be able to
support our athletes financially, to enable them
to attend national and international events.
Last year this amounted to more than $5000.
To maintain this financial support, the club has
launched its 2019 sponsorship fund through
the Australian Sports Foundation. Three tax
deductible sponsorship levels are offered: gold
($300), silver ($200) and bronze ($100). If you
are willing to help our athletes achieve their
goals, please visit the ASF website: https://asf.
org.au/projects/old-scotch-athletic-club/
ROBERT WILSON (‘67) — PRESIDENT, AND
TOM RUSSELL (‘12) — VICE PRESIDENT,
TRACK AND FIELD, OLD SCOTCH
ATHLETICS CLUB
www.scotch.vic.edu.au Great Scot
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