Six local athletes managed international success when they faced Oceania’s fastest athletes last week.
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Mikielee Snow, Gracie Martin, Jay Stone, William Vince-Moin, Kelsie Youman and Stuart Geddes all won medals at the Championships in Fiji last week.
Youman competed for the Australian team and claimed two medals – one gold in the under 18 4x400 metres relay team and a silver in her individual 800m event.
Coach Jay Stone said it was a redemption of sorts for Youman, who missed out on a medal at Nationals after falling in the race.
“Mentally it was a challenge for her, going into the race she was worried she was going to get tripped again, there was a lot on her mind,” he said.
“She was a little bit tentative, I think she could have won the race if she had have had a little bit more confidence in herself.”
“I was so thrilled to be chosen as the Regional Australian teams opening ceremony flag bearer. It was such an honour to represent my country and our team,” she said. Geddes claimed the first of his medals in the form a bronze in the 3000m.
He then added a silver to his collection in the 2000m steeplechase. As a result of his performances, Geddes was honoured with being the flag bearer in the closing ceremony.
“When I was selected to carry the Australian flag for the Regional Australian team at the closing ceremony I felt humble and proud,” he said.
“It was a honour to be selected for the Regional Australian Team, but to go over with other athletes from the Armidale club and come back with medals will be a memory for life.
“This would not have happened without my coach Jay Stone, who taught me to believe and trust in myself.”
Stone himself added a medal to his recent international feats, a bronze in the relay medley.
For the masters athlete, the meet was the final before he takes a break to recuperate after a long season.
“By the time I got through that last race and I accomplished what I had set out to achieve, finish the meet healthy, that was probably the most pleasing thing,” he said.
“To win my first medal in seven years and it a big responsibility in the medley relay when you are running 400 metres because that is half the race.
“I thought my days were done winning medals at this level. I was easily the oldest person in any of my races, most of them were in their mid to low 20s.”
“Gracie probably had one of the best allround meets of everyone because she was very close to her personal bests in all her races and picked up a medal as well,” Stone said.
Para athlete Vince-Moin won his first international medal, a bronze, in the 800m. He also ran in a relay race.
“A big highlight was getting him into that 4x400m relay team with myself and Stuart,” Stone said.
“The crowd was on their feet as he ran in as the anchor leg, he basically got a standing ovation and one of the loudest cheers from a non-Fijian athlete.”