Sacred Heart review - Sunday 27th NOV 2016

University student Kate Monks continued her domination of the SA Athletic League women’s sprints with another decisive victory, taking out the Sacred Heart 120m at the Bowker Street Reserve on Sunday.

It was the Coastal athlete’s fourth win this season having won over 120m at Henley and Port Adelaide and 70m at Flinders.

The Luke Buchanan coached Monks (11.0m) recorded 13.92sec and had a metre to spare from West Beach’s Ali Trewartha (9.75m) and another Coastal athlete in Lily Micklethwaite (11.0m).

Monks 20, who is studying Podiatry at University SA, is delighted to be in career best shape leading into the $20,000 Bay Sheffield on December 28.

“I’m feeling really good and I’m excited” she said.

“I hope the handicapper is kind to me, even though I’ve won four races. I’ve got great confidence I can do well at the Bay.”

Walkerville’s Brian Wilson (7.0m) who turned 20 on Saturday, scored his first major sprint, narrowly edging out West Lakes’ Ryan Atkins (7.50m) and Warradale’s Mitchell Tucker in 12.47secs in the 120m Gift.

In the 70m novice, Flinders’ James Bayliss got up in the last stride to pip Lily Micklethwaite on the line to take home his first sash.

The McKinnon Parade stable feasted on the circle events, taking home four sashes with Corey Watkins winning a distance double over 800m and 1600m; David Girolamo holding off the backmarkers in the 400m open and Gregor Dingwall picking up the over 35’s 1600m sash. Coach Michael Buckler’s squad has now won ten races in the first five SAAL carnivals.

State under 16 400m champion Rose Pittman tuned up for next week’s national all school titles in Canberra with a convincing win over 400m while the state under 18 400m champion, Natassia Messent stormed home for a similarly impressive win in the women’s 800m.

In the junior events, Flagstaff Hill’s Ben Burbridge (under 14’s 70m) won his second sash in succession; Reynella’s Taylah Stallan (under 18 girls) won her first 120m event and Western District’s Lachlan Burrows won a rare double with the under 18 boys’ 120m and 550m novice.

Team Townley’s Sue Turner’s impressive season just got better when she added the over 35’s 70m to the Henley 120m she won last month.

Next carnival is the traditional Pre-Bay Sheffield meeting at Colley Reserve on Sunday.