The red and black colours of UTS Norths Athletics Club were prominent at The Ridge Athletics Track in Barden Ridge on January 3, 2026, for the Illawong High Velocity Meet (HVM). In what proved to be a sensational start to the new year, the club’s athletes delivered a masterclass in speed, technique, and endurance, collecting a remarkable haul of records across multiple age groups.
Leading the charge with a historic performance was masters sensation Nicki Drinkwater. Competing in the Women’s 80m Hurdles (76cm), Drinkwater blitzed the field in Heat 1. With a favourable wind of 1.1m/s aiding her flight, she crossed the line in a blistering 12.82 seconds. This outstanding effort not only secured her first place in the event but established a new National Record for the W50 age group. Drinkwater’s day was far from over; she also dominated the Women’s Shot Put (3kg), taking first place with a massive throw of 11.55 metres. Showing her versatility, she later cleared 1.40m in the High Jump to finish 14th overall and clocked 13.62 seconds in the 100m sprint, placing 59th in a crowded open field.
Not to be outdone in the record-breaking department was Monique Perry. The W50 sprinter showcased her elite speed in the Women’s 100m, stopping the clock at 12.45 seconds (+1.2m/s) to finish 19th overall. This time set a new State Record, further cementing her status as one of the premier masters sprinters in New South Wales. Perry backed up this performance with a strong run in the 200m, recording 26.24 seconds into a slight headwind (0.4m/s) to place 19th.
The men’s masters division saw Ashley McMahon rewrite the club history books twice in one afternoon. Competing in the M50 category, McMahon blasted down the straight in the 100m to record 11.66 seconds (+1.3m/s), setting a new Club Record. He returned to the track for the 200m, clocking 24.06 seconds (+1.2m/s) to secure his second Club Record of the day, finishing 50th overall in the open standings. His consistency and speed remain a benchmark for the club’s veteran athletes.
At the pointy end of the open competition, Zen Clark was in imperious form. He stormed to victory in the Men’s 200m, taking 1st place overall with a scorching time of 20.85 seconds (+1.1m/s). This sub-21-second performance highlights his exceptional early-season condition. Isaac Sharwood also impressed in the same event, cracking the top ten with a swift 21.53 seconds (+1.6m/s) to finish 10th.
The women’s open sprints featured a standout performance from Emma Lee. Lee was a picture of consistency, securing 2nd place in the Women’s 100m with a time of 11.73 seconds (+1.4m/s) and doubling up to take 2nd in the 200m in 24.20 seconds (+1.1m/s). Her ability to feature on the podium in both blue-ribbon sprint events speaks volumes about her current form. She was well supported in the 200m by Jasmin Guthrie, who finished 9th in 24.99 seconds, and Ledia Ekoue, who crossed in 14th place with a time of 25.82 seconds.
The club’s depth was on full display throughout the sprint divisions. In the Men’s 100m, teenager Alexander Fijan clocked a sharp 11.46 seconds (+1.5m/s) to finish 44th, while Corey Furminger ran 11.59 seconds (+0.9m/s) for 53rd. Emanuele Placuzzi (12.26s), Martin Szeto (12.48s), and Matteo Passerini (12.63s) all put in solid shifts in their respective heats. Chris Mulcahy rounded out the 100m contingent with a time of 13.76 seconds. Unfortunately, Chris Greatrex was a DNS in the 100m and 100m Hurdles but made his mark elsewhere.
In the Men’s 200m, the red and black jerseys were everywhere. Following Clark and Sharwood, Alexander Fijan returned to clock 23.42 seconds (42nd). Emanuele Placuzzi ran 24.97 seconds (64th), showing great endurance for the M44 category. Craig Baker (25.58s), Martin Szeto (25.78s), and Matteo Passerini (26.16s) were separated by mere fractions of a second in a tight mid-pack battle. Chris Mulcahy stopped the clock at 28.16 seconds, while Corey Furminger unfortunately registered a DNF.
The women’s sprint results were equally comprehensive. Annalise Quintana showed immense promise, placing 22nd in the 100m (12.51s) and 30th in the 200m (26.68s). Margot Story clocked 13.14s in the 100m and 27.31s in the 200m. Chelsea Forte ran a brisk 13.20s in the 100m, while Maryann Hearn (13.56s), Caitlyn Yu (14.47s), and Bronwyn Kelaher (17.12s) all competed fiercely. In the 200m, Hearn (28.61s), Yu (30.69s), and Kelaher (37.91s) completed their doubles for the day.
Hurdles action saw young talent Annalise Quintana finish 3rd in the Women’s 90m Hurdles (76cm) with a time of 14.02 seconds. Chelsea Forte took on the 100m Hurdles, finishing 10th in 17.24 seconds. In the Men’s 110m Hurdles, Craig Baker battled over the barriers to finish 5th in 21.48 seconds. Maryann Hearn joined Drinkwater in the 80m Hurdles, securing a fantastic 2nd place finish with a time of 13.61 seconds.
Field events provided further success for UTS Norths. Chris Greatrex bounced back from his track scratching to win the Men’s High Jump (1.15m start height) with a clearance of 1.45m. Emanuele Placuzzi cleared 1.60m in the higher starting group to finish 5th. In the throws, Craig Baker launched the 7.26kg Shot Put 10.54m to claim 2nd place, demonstrating his multi-event capability. Chris Greatrex added to his tally with a 3rd place finish in the 6kg Shot Put, throwing 9.77m. In the Women’s Shot Put, alongside Drinkwater’s win, Caitlyn Yu threw 10.22m for 5th place, and Chelsea Forte managed 9.15m for 7th.
The Illawong HVM was a resounding success for the club, characterised by National, State, and Club records falling alongside personal bests and podium finishes. The camaraderie and competitive spirit displayed at The Ridge Athletics Track set a high standard for the remainder of the 2026 season.
