Eaglehawk’s ploy to use the PowerPlay paid off in Saturday’s eighth round of AVSL track and field action run by Flack Advisory Services Group-backed Bendigo Region.
In a fierce contest to claim a top two spot on the division two ladder and promotion to premier league for next season, Eaglehawk scored 28,646 points in the latest round at the Flora Hill complex.
Athletics Chilwell led the division two standings on 33,521, but the Hawks’ tally of nine was doubled under the PowerPlay format.
Among the highs for the Hawks were record-setting feats by Moama speedster James Bentley and super-veteran Kathryn Heagney.
Racing in the famous Two Blues colours, Bentley blitzed the under-17s 400m record as he completed the one-lap dahs in 49.82 seconds.
Despite some concerns with a foot injury throughout the season, Bentley has kept working hard toward breaking the 50-second mark.
The Terry Hicks-coached athlete is likely to be one of many from Bendigo region to compete at this year’s track nationals in Sydney.
Bentley’s tally of 1329 points put him 26th in the Most Valuable Athlete award for round eight.
Heagney set more records for the 70-plus class.
A great afternoon for Heagney kicked off by winning her 100m heat in 16.84, and she followed up by clearing the obstacles in the 2000m steeple in 11:44.90.
Her score of 1205 earned 68th place in the MVA award.
The Hawks were represented by 31 athletes at Saturday’s meet.
Those to star for the Borough included Terry Hicks, 1438 and 6th in the MVA; David Chisholm 1286, 40th; Angus McKindlay 1282, 41st; Kye Mason 1189, 76th; Lachlan Start 1157, equal 88th; and Jorja Morrison 1153, 91st.
Bendigo Harriers was represented by 25 athletes and performed well to score division three’s highest tally of 21,096.
The Harriers scored 10 points on a day where Wyndham, Casey Cardinia, Bellarine, Knox, Frankston and Preston all employed the PowerPlay.
Bendigo Harriers are in contention to earn promotion for VASL in 2021-22 as the club is yet to use its PowerPlay.
South Bendigo scored 18,766 to be ninth in premier division, but is facing relegation for next season.
Bendigo University scored 3056 points in division four.
There were 91 athletes at Saturday’s meet which drew competitors from Athletics Chilwell, Athletics Essendon, Mornington, Western Athletics, and Williamstown.
Athletes to star for Eaglehawk included Kye Mason, 100m in 11.26; Lachlan Start, 49.04m at javelin and 6.27m in long jump.
Bendigo Harriers’ young gun Jake Gavriliadis achieved marks of 38.01m at javelin, and 13.32 in shot put and a tally of 1322 to be 29th in the MVA standings.
Clubmate Jorja Hill was in great form as she reached 31.54m at javelin.
Williamstown’s Jessie Andrew took out the first of the women’s 100m heats in 12.38, and ran 57.60 in her 400m victory.
Racing on invitational basis, the talented Billy Meade won the first of the 1500m heats in 4:35.98 as the consistent Anne Buckley from Harriers won the second.
South Bendigo’s James Woods cleared 2.00m at high jump, and pole vault included a leap of 2.60m by clubmate Emma Orme.
In the MVA award, Woods scored 1358 to be 28th as Orme was 84th on 1169 points.
The talented Jonah Emonson also performed well for South Bendigo to score 1182 points and be 80th on the MVA list.
Another of the Harriers’ rising stars, Liam Shadbolt scored 1430 points to be ninth in the MVA.
Clubmates to shine were Geoff Shaw 1376, 17th; Monique Gavriliadis 1241, 57th; Neil Shaw 1157, equal 88th.
