All posts by Matt Beckenham

Elite track and field coach, 2000 Olympian
Total 2009/10 Squad Gift Prizemoney is over $72000 - Click for Results

Nevin and Storta make Lithgow Finals

Leave a comment

In a split weekend of racing half the squad ventured up to Ltihgow for the NSWAL meeting.

The Lithgow flash features the richest Women’s gift in Australia with $11000 in prizemoney. Tarin Nevin made her way into another final and finished a great 5th place. Luke Storta completed a great year in the NSWAL to claim 6th in the final.

In other results Brandan Galic continues his return to form just missing the final by 0.03 and also taking 5th in the Backmarkers. Ramona Casey missed the Women’s final by 0.01 but completed to third placings in the Women’s Backmarkers and 200m. Jaryd Cowley finished 8th in the final of the 300m

Best Result

Tarin Nevin 5th Lithgow women’s Gift

Lithgow Gift Squad Winnings: $810

Yearly Squad Winnings:  $20000 

Total Squad Sashes for 2009/10: 13

Individual Money Winners

  1. Luke Storta $9280
  2. Ramona Casey $3740
  3. Lauren Boden $2220
  4. Stephen Sheppard $1220
  5. Melissa Breen $500
  6. Patrick Elliott $455
  7. Tarin Nevin $655
  8. Derek Collinge $290
  9. MattyB $260
  10. Michael Rutter $225 
  11. Jaryd Cowley $340
  12. Jesse Matthews $105 
  13. Tom Burbidge $65
  14. Brandan Galic $90
  15. Kevin Matthews $40

Individual Results (money earning results only)

Grass Track, mild and conditions. 

Ramona Casey

  • 100m Backmarkers – (2.5m) 3rd Final ($90)
  • 200m (15.5m) 3rd Final ($150)

Jaryd Cowley

  • 300m – (20m) 8th Final ($80)

Brandan Galic

  • 100m Backmarkers – (3.75m) 5th Final ($40)

Luke Storta

  • 120m – (8.75m) 6th Final ($200)

Tarin Nevin

  • 120m – (12.25m) 5th Final ($250)
2009/10 Major Event Results

Breen wins 100m and MattyB DEPT break ACT 4 x 400m record

Leave a comment

Melissa Breen continued her great from in Melbourne to take out the Women’s 100m in commanding fashion in a time of 11.41 (1.3). The conditions on the night were not as favourable as Sydney and without Sally McLellan in the field to push her along this run was extremely impressive.

It has already been an outstanding domestic season for the 19 year old with numerous runs in the 11.40’s which is under the B standard for the Commonwealth Games on various tracks around the country. This consistency is sure to lead to a another jump in improvement in the next month with a couple of runs on some of the fastest tracks inthe country planned.

With no 400m Hurdles on the program for the Women Lauren Boden tried her hand at the flat 400m. Lauren set up the race with real agression and coming into the straight with 100m to go she was just behind race winner Jody Henry and runner up Tamsyn Lewis. Despite losing some form in the past 50m Lauren held on to run a new personal best of 53.70.

Brendan Cole put up a strong challenge to multiple major championship medalist Danny MacFarlane in the 400m Hurdles. Cole set up the race much quicker then his race in Sydney and going through half way was right with Danny. Unfortunately he hit 3 of the last 5 hurdles costing him valuable time and a chance to take victory. Despite this he finished with another B qualifier for the Commonwealth Games with 50.45.  

The night finished with a very exciting race for the Matty DEPT. with the running of the 4 x 400m. The squad team took on two Australian teams, New Zealand, Australian Junior and various other state teams.

Lead off by Tom Burbidge (@48 second leg) the team changed the baton in 3rd position. Brendan Cole ran a superb second leg (@46.9 second split) to take the squad team to the lead at the half way point. Jesse Matthews (@49 second split) lead down the back straight until the 2 Australian teams made there move in the last 100m. The final runner Brendan Matthews (@47.9 second split) then proceeded to show little respect for himself or the Australian team runners namely Ben Offereins and Sean Wroe when he charged past Ben down the back straight and then ran right up along side Sean with 150m to go. He did pay the price in the past 50m but it was very exciting action indeed.

The squad team broke their own ACT record running 3.12.44

Click here for Video of the Meet

Click here for Melissa Breen interview with Runners Tribe

2009/10 Major Event Results, 2009/10 Press Releases and Media Coverage

Lauren Boden breaks into world class 55 second 400m Hurdles range at Sydney Track Classic

Leave a comment

Lauren Boden breaks into world class 55 second 400m Hurdles range at Sydney Track Classic

In what was one of the best nights of track and field performance in a long time in Australia Lauren Boden took advantage of the great conditions and competition to smash her personal best running 55.75. This is also a Commonwealth Games A qualifying performance and moves her to number 6 on the Australian all time list.

Lauren set up the race hard into a slight headwind down the back to gain a decisive break of seasoned athletes Tamsyn Lewis. Lauren never looked back and finished strongly to claim victory. Training partner Tarin Nevin finished 7th in 64.00.

19 year Melissa Breen also had a night to remember going within 0.01 to claim victory in the 100m over Olympic silver medalist Sally McLellan. Both girls run a B standard for the Commonwealth Games with Sally getting the victory in an extremely tight photo finish. The run showed much improvement in Breen’s start which enabled her to get into the race and keep the pressure on Sally right to the line.

Brendan Cole improved on his season best to finish second in the 400m Hurdles behind legend Jamaican Danny MacFarlane in a time of 50.46 which is another Commonwealth B qualifier. Despite some sickness in the lead up the run was impressive enough to show that he will be back under 50 seconds very soon.

Runners Tribe interview with Melissa Breen

Runners Tribe interview with Lauren Boden

Click for Full Results of the meet

Click here for Video of the meet