The Big Event - A Huge Success

September 16 and 17 heralded a new era for throwing, with the WA Throwers Club hosting The Big Event – Throws Multi Weekend. This fantastic format was the brain child of Todd Davey, to be an inclusive, all ages event. The first time in Australia that Juniors have been able to compete in a Throws Multi Event.

Ern Clark Athletics Stadium was looking the goods with the new banners of our Major Sponsor, the WA Throws Mafia.

Day 1 Throws Pentathlon

A great turn out for Day 1 of the competition, with 21 athletes including 7 juniors and Opens.

Liam Gartlan (16) who competed in the U20 as opposed to the U18 he was eligible for did exceptionally well in all 5 throws disciplines and was rewarded with the Throws Pentathlon – Mens Trophy for best performance of the day and included a PB in the U20 Shot Put and an excellent Weight Throw at the end.
Liam finished with 3237 points using the open tables which is a very solid performance.

Alyssa Woodings, Jacob Shelfout, Kyle Bartlett and Jacob Matteo all performed just as well and I could see were enjoying the TP 5 throw format.

Jennifer Parker broke 2 State Records on her way to the Throws Pentathlon – Ladies Trophy. It was her performance in her non-favoured events, with a 2^nd best all time hammer and PB/SR in the Weight Throw that earned her the referee’s nod.

It was great to see the Bunbury contingent. Steve Chilcott produced the biggest Javelin throw of the day with 46.19m in the Open Division. Mikayla Horan started the day with some massive bombs, including the Open Shot Put Club Record of 10.38m, but commitments meant she couldn’t complete all 5 throws. Jo Peters performed very well in the M60 with a very good discus effort of 42.10m and a TP total of 2793.

Matt Staunton took out the M40 and also set 9 Club Records as he qualified for the Open Records simultaneously although he was a touch rusty after winter and those marks (all of them) will improve.

Byrony Glass, just 5 weeks post knee surgery was also out to get a few throws under her belt after a winter break. Still, she managed a new SR overall as well as 9 new W40 and Open club records.

Christine Schelfout was revelling with her new weights, with PBs aplenty, and had a great tussle with Yolanda Carstens in the tightest (official) contest of the day, and each of them taking home a couple of W50 club records. Yolanda came home strongly, with a strong PB in the Weight, to take honours in that discipline by just 16cm, and the overall day by only 140 points.

Todd Davey had a strong day out finishing with 3990 points his 3rd best TP total and quite content with that effort.

It was great to see a couple of visitors, in Des Walsh and Wayne Bryam known more in running circles than throwing circles, and were pretty chuffed (and exhausted) by the end of the day!

Family pride was on the line in the Lyon household, with a father/daughter rivalry as fierce as any you’ll see! Liv started strongly, winning each of the first two skins by a combined total of 11cm; but then the beard came out to play during the “runners events” and Tim took the next two rubbers. It all came down to the final discipline. You’ll have to check out the results page to see whether “Daddy” or “Dortz” rules!

Day 2 Heavy Weight Pentathlon

A smaller contingent than in the TP arrived for the HWP, but bolstered by with Ossi Igel, Geoff Gee and Andrew Ward turning up to throw. The Juniors were all absent and probably exhausted from Day 1 but off we went again at 8 am with aching bodies.

Matt Staunton continued to set new club records but again paid the price for having a very ‘relaxing’ winter, but we know Matt is foxing though and is pacing himself for a run at the right time for the Nationals to be held in Perth next April.

Todd Davey was hoping to have an assault on the M50 Australian HWP & 56 Pounder Records but was not on song either. After starting well he fell away as the weights got heavier and he felt his age, finishing with 4126 points.

Andrew Ward, Geoff Gee and Ossi Igel performed very well for the end of winter and while their totals were off a little they showed signs of good form at various stages with the various weights.

For the Ladies, Sally Sims, less bothered by her shoulder injury than the previous day, improved on her previous personal mark. It may not have been obvious to all, but was happy with at least a couple of throws. Byrony continued on from her previous day form, slightly under god-like. Jenn Parker was suffering the hangover from yesterday’s domination, but still produced her second best effort in the event. Chez, suffering a hangover of a different kind (it was one of those nasty cold/flu/bug thing, wasn’t it?) and her performances improved as the weights got heavier. Kate Glass and Beverley Hamilton both had some great performances, proving that survival is not necessarily of the fittest, but most stubborn! (Where were those young ones from the day before??)

We finished with the 56 Pound Heavy Weight Individual and we were all running on empty by then, but alas a few of the boys picked up the big beast and had a go with a few of the ladies too. Todd Davey picked up bragging rights from Matt Staunton for the coveted WATC 56lb Weight Throw CLUB RECORD. Strong performances from exhausted bodies by Geoff, Ossi, Chez and Jenn.

AND THEN WE HAVE BYRONY GLASS

The aforementioned slightly-below-godlike, Byrony Glass! Who, just 5 weeks after knee surgery, in an event many are too scared to think about, let alone attempt or master, broke the AUSTRALIAN RECORD!!!! It was this feat (and maybe the distances that were ~40% further than us mere mortals) that earned her the nod for the overall HWP Trophy for the ladies.

Jo Peters again proved he has had a solid winter preparation by taking out the HWP Trophy for a well earned consistent performance as judged by the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the WATC.

Todd Davey was somewhat embarrassed and equally honoured to take the overall weekend Presidents Trophy. Consistent performances across all disciplines on both days, as well as a couple of outstanding throws pushing the boundary of the sector is what drew the Ref’s attention to him.

Tired and exhausted we retired to enjoy a well cooked BBQ and some banter about our exploits and best (and worst) bits. Byrony Glass as a representative of the WATC Committee, took this opportunity to award Foundation WATC Membership to Lindsey Glass and Todd Davey in honour of the thousands of hours, the passion, vision and commitment of these gents that has been so integral in building the throwing community in WA, and enabled the Western Australian Throwers Club to be formed.