Nitro Athletics Championship 2019

Our Tigers with their mascot , smiling at the authorities, knowing they exceeded the recommended speed limit in their events.

The Nitro Athletics Championships has come and gone, but good grief, what a roaringly good time we all had on the track. That wasn’t meant to be a pun for QUT Tigers, but it certainly could operate as such. Yes, I’m back, in case you were wondering, and not a second too late it seems. There is reporting that needs to be done to inspire you all in your day to day routines.

---

When your manager tells you she's taking a video, but you're not falling for her cheap tricks this time.

We had two brilliant athletes compete in both the female 60m and 150m sprint events. Firstly, Sophie Winter had only momentary seconds to collect a breath before she loaded herself into the blocks for her first event, her hopeful presence, slicing through the darkness of the night. She streaked down the track to attain of time of 8.46 seconds in the 60m, and 19.89 seconds in the 150m. So methodical and concentrated were her movements that she could have been included in a multi-million dollar Nike commercial (or Adidas I suppose). 

Sophie Winter (middle) demonstrating a new method for testing out the blocks.

Secondly, we had the brilliant Kate Ullman compete. Now it should be noted that Kate has been away for a considerable time on exchange, so this was truly an auspicious occasion. Many a tear was shed upon seeing her authoritative yet quirky demeanor return to the track. It is even rumored that the whole athletics stadium momentarily halted their fervent and chattered excitement, to provide an emotionally charged and synchronized salute! Kate ran scorching times of 8.60 in the 60m, and 20.69 in the 150m. What a patriot! Glad to see you return Kate! Great effort ladies!

Kate struggling to concentrate over the crowd screaming her name.

In the male 60m Marty Clark did us proud, running a time of 7.62 seconds to come third in this event. If television crews had been around, this surely would have caused a spike (Track pun? Casey loves these) in their ratings. Congrats Marty. Frazer McGuffe also competed, running a time of 7.75 seconds.  I'm glad I wasn't holding a hot drink at the time, as such viewing pleasure would have caused me to relinquish my grip and painfully burn my lap. Casey Sims was screaming (not soundlessly) at witnessing Frazer rise to the occasion, his very presence changing the game forever. Both these boys displayed enough power on the track to power a nuclear fusion reactor. Tony Stark would have been so proud at this innovation. ​

Marty Clark showcasing new dance moves for the camera.

In the male 150m meters we had two athletes compete. This is going to get a bit weird and meta for me considering I am one of those poor sods: Daniel Jebb. This day was always sure to happen inevitably. God help us. Joshua Beale ran spectacularly, his arms at a perfect 90 degrees. This is something I have never mastered, but one day I will, and my coach Travis Venema will look up to the heavens, his face stained with tears of joy. As I rounded the bend, I saw the cheetah that is Josh in my sights, and I engaged all the horsepower I could muster to keep up with him. If Leonardo Davinci had been present I think he would have immediately put pen to canvas, and conceived of another masterpiece, inspired by this clash of titans. Josh ran a time of 17.10 seconds. while I clocked 17.17 seconds. At the finish line, I was tempted to bend the knee before Josh. Instead we shook hands and looked towards the beautiful sunrise together, weeping in joy at putting it all on the track, and thus engaging in self-actualization. ​

Joshua Beale (middle) engaging the horsepower.

Myself (Daniel Jebb) pictured right, in my my most photogenic state ever. My new DP.

Next, we had four athletes compete in the 1000 meters event. For the males, we had Tim Vincent and Cathal Brennan run, clocking times of 2:40.79 and 2:45.62 respectively. For the ladies we had Kate McLennan run 3:13:13, and Stephanie Bain run 3:14:38. Special mention to Steph who has returned to the track after a long hiatus. Steph loves her memes ladies and gentlemen, but her performance was anything but a meme. I’d describe it as a cinematic series of action shots that would have had Steven Spielberg in a frenzy of excitement. Congratulations to all the athletes who pushed to their limits in this race. ​

Steph, second from the front, surrounded by just a few of her fans. The total fan count is in the hundreds.

Relay events also occurred. In the mixed 2X100m relay we had Joshua Beale and Sophie Winter Run for the A Team with a time of 24.40seconds. Their team synergy was undeniable, the two rolling through like steam trains, the living embodiment of athletic conviction. 
​
Meanwhile in the 100m relay B Team we had Jamie Pannam, nicknamed the beast return alongside Kate Ullman, the duo running a time of 24.47. Jamie’s stride length was so impressive that I couldn’t help but scream out his name, as his impeccable form streaked past the grandstand, the baton becoming a symbol of hope in his hand. You just can't make this stuff up, can you ladies and gentlemen? 

The Beast himself demonstrating the supernatural ability of running without his feet touching the ground. He did this the whole race.

 In the Mixed 2x2x400m sprint medley we had Kate Watson and Mackenzie McIntyre run for the A Team, running 4:20:38. In the B team, Cathal Brennan and Laura Mangos were able to run a time of 4:25:31. I think we should all drop to one knee and pay these athletes the due respect they deserve. The event was absolutely excruciating for our athletes yet they persevered against the clock, lactic acid and all their personal demons. Our Mascot Tiger was heard howling in triumph at these results. I don’t blame him. This was historic. ​See just below for a photo of these legends. 

Mackenzie McIntyre apparently was having a photo shoot while running blistering times.

Laura Mangos running the circuit of death, and she knows it.

Kate Watson giving the baton a kiss for good luck, cursing the function of lactic acid in the body.

Cathal Brennan demonstrating that face you make when you smell a pizza in the audience mid-race.

In the mixed long jump we had four athletes compete. Firstly for the males, Josh Cowley soared through the air with a distance of 7.19m and Adam Kovacevic travelled 6.61m, claiming first and second for the men respectively. For the females Liley Ritcher  and Casey Sims claimed first and second position respectively, knocking their accuracy predictions out of the park. This was edge of your seat entertainment. I thought End Game was good, but the tactics on display from these Tigers rivalled the combined intellect of Tony Stark, Bruce Banner and Scott Lang. I’ve said before that Casey Sims is the reincarnation of Einstein  and this certainly supports the theory. Congrats to all our long jumpers. 

Casey Sims, the modern Einstein. Someone needs to make a statue in the likeness of this image for both QUT campuses.

In the Mixed Shot Put we were witness to the finest caliber of strength in the city. Firstly, for the A Team we had Talosaga Kia throw 12.80m to come first, and Marty Clark throw 11.81m to come second. In the B team, we had Haydn Lane throw 9.70m and Casey Sims throw 7.29m. These throws were so powerful that the laws of nature rebelled and a crack in time formed, releasing a host of horrors into the UQ arena. Thankfully, our Tiger Mascot and Jesse Simms were able to stabilize this ethereal wound, reverse the horrors, and allow our athletes to remain unscathed. Haydn in a statement to the club said that he knew he put in a good effort, but didn’t realize his effort would contribute to reality been bent. Rookie error Haydn! You’re on the executive for this club. You should know. ​

Our QUT Athletics treasurer Haydn, tearing open a portal in the fabric of time with his might. Typical.

Nitro Athletics was a resounding success and our athletes truly gave it their all. A big congratulations to Casey Sims for getting this initiative off the ground. Things are shaping up very well for Nationals Division 1 2020, and not to mention Nitro 2020. Was amazing to see all our Tigers get around one another, with some members at the track solely there to spectate. What a team! Been a pleasure reporting once again. ​

Yours Truly

​-Daniel Jebb