Great Scot - The Scotch Family Magazine - Issue 150 April 2017 GS150-ONLINE Version_FA | Page 74

OSCA OSCA Clubs Athletics Club Recognising a champion Old Scotch Masters athlete The summer interclub athletics season finished with the Old Scotch under 20 team winning their venue competition, and just being beaten in the state final. There were excellent contributions on the day in three or four events each by Ed Beischer (Year 12), Chris Papapetrou (Year 11), Harrison Carr (‘16) and Stephen Liu (Year 12). But the highlight of the summer season was undoubtedly the announcement that Andrew Jamieson (‘63) had for the second time in a decade been voted by the International Amateur Athletics Federation as the 2016 World Masters Athlete of the Year. The story of Andrew’s athletic career borders on the incredible. He joined Old Scotch in 1962 and by 1971 had already set club records in the 1500m and 3000m walks on the track, as well as setting numerous winter walking records over distances from 10 to 50 kilometres. Andrew is now by far the club’s most decorated athlete of all time. He currently holds an amazing 10 world records, and over his career he has broken more than 35 world records. No wonder he still more than holds his own when competing in interclub events. Andrew wrote of his most recent races and world record: ‘The World Masters Athletics Championships are held every two years or so for athletes 35 and over in five year groupings, with the event being held in Perth in October last year. ‘Going up to a new age group a few months before was an extra incentive. Things were going well until a knee cartilage injury during training resulted in a six-month, very slow and frustrating 72 Great Scot Number 150 – April 2017 recovery. By June the knee had improved enough to do a personal worst 20km at Albert Park which, thanks to going into a new age group, was a M70-74 world record! ‘Over 4000 athletes from all disciplines competed in Perth, which required two stadiums and 10 days to fit everything in. In the walks there were at least three former Olympians, one of whom was the 50km gold medallist in Mexico City in 1968, as well as winning three world championships. ‘I was fortunate that my two biggest rivals were still in the younger age group in Perth, so I had not too much trouble in winning my events: the 5km, 10km and 20km walks. The event scheduling meant unfortunately that I did not get to see the races of fellow Old Scotch Athletics Club members, Rob Schwerkolt (who won silver in the M50 1500m), Scott Lawrence (fifth in the M55 800m and 1500m), and Bruce Wilson (‘63 — who won silver in the M70 steeplechase).’ Congratulations to Andrew, Rob, Scott and Bruce for their achievements in the World Masters Games. The Old Scotch Athletics Club’s cross country season began on 8 April. It’s a great season, with runs conducted in many beautiful parks around Melbourne approximately every second week. The emphasis is on participation and enjoyment, and it’s a good way to keep fit. A feature is the traditional afternoon tea served by the host club. The events are open to all male athletes, whether or not they are Old Scotch Collegians, and to female athletes — the Old Scotch Athletics Club has formed a women’s group within the club. For the keener runners, Old Scotch joins with other APS athletics clubs to compete in the Athletics Victoria cross country season under the APS United banner, which provides opportunities for runners from all APS Old Collegians clubs to join forces in a combined team to achieve individual and team success in the Athletics Victoria winter series of races. For more information, please contact Old Scotch Athletics Club President Rob Wilson (‘66) at [email protected] or winter Captain Peter Simm at [email protected]. ROB WILSON (‘66)