THE QUT TIGERS TAKE ON STATE RELAYS 2019

Is this a picture or a video Casey?

It's good to be back ladies and gentlemen, hitting the keys of my MacBook in quick succession, and staring at the plush QUT Tiger animal on my desk for inspiration. He needs to stop roaring. It's very distracting and quite obnoxious. Anyway, what a creature, and what a representation of the furiously motivated team the Tigers comprise of. QUT had some insanely good performance this year at State Relays, where the glint of batons in respective Tiger hands caused onlookers to shield their eyes, from the intense glare of history unfolding. 

Who needs to clink glasses when you can clink batons.

The 100m relays proved to be as intense as anticipated, with an abundance of teams causing a recreation of the old testament flood. We've been in sore need of rain anyway, so I guess we're the beneficiary of mother nature's decision. In the Women's 4X100 Open Relay we had Jarmillia Murphy - Knight, Kate Ullman, Loreen Kaliyati, and Sophie Winter run so fast that the Black Eyed Peas song, "Pump It," would have been an appropriate background melody. These ladies ran a time of 49.61 to win Bronze. Congrats ladies! In the U20's 4X100 girls, Rebecca Keen, Ella Graumann, Ara Dugandzic and Simone Berndt also claimed bronze with their legs moving faster than a lecture recording on triple speed. Definitely not recommending that you deploy this study methodology ladies, but up to your discretion. 

Jarmillia Knight emulating a lecture recording on triple speed.

In the 4 X100m girls U 18 Relay Grace, Scotney, Kajsa Shield, Charlize, Sivyer, and Abby Cusworth ran an awesome time of 51.46 in a very close race that made Casey Sims scream for joy and nearly drop her camera. Special shout out to Kajsa who engaged so much turbo power that she suffered an injury. This is sometimes the price of violating the speed limit it seems. Rest up Tiger. 

We also had the men compete in the 100m relays. In the Open's category we had three QUT teams compete, much to the delight of the QA officials, who had to hold back tears of joy for seeing so many Tigers out of the zoo, fully integrated into society. Alex Hartmann, Cedric Dubler, Daniel Mowen and Preston Degarnham ran for the A team, clocking a time of 41.93 to come second. Alex had a jaw dropping start, and his "cute little head band" was clearly worth the $300 he paid for it. The rest of the boys followed his prime example with Daniel Mowing down the competition, Cedric straining for glory and Preston defying the odds. Congrats boys.

That face you make when you realise you may have spent too much on a head band.

In the B team, we had Liam Johnston, myself (Daniel Jebb), Joshua Beale (absolute wild card) and Cooper Degarnham clock a time of 45.13 to come fifth. Cooper's start was so explosive that I nearly did not retrieve the baton during the change over, but luckily in a crowd pleasing stunt, the B team shifted from anarchy, to organised chaos in just a mere matter of milliseconds. Was an honour boys. In the C, team James Pannam, Travis Venema, Jin Yoshi, and Martin Clark came 6th, just behind the B team. Coach Travis clearly demonstrated that he still has it, and that these young whipper snappers (the b team) best be careful when he is on the track. ​

Liam Johnston hoping coach Travis does not catch him.

In the boys U20's 4 X 100, the excitement didn't stop with the A and B team putting on a show. The A Team, consisting of Sam Mcarthur, Kalten Mason, Cooper Schmidt and Nicholas Meek (who was anything but meek) came first with a time of 43.39. I thought Black Friday deals were exciting, but after watching Sam's strong finish, the only thing I wanted to buy in that sales period was his autograph. The B team comprised of Joseph Gehrke, Gum Mabor, Oliver Maher and Mathis Limal. These boys came second in 44.64 seconds, right behind the a-team. I'm going to go broke paying for all these autographs but I suppose their re-sell value will be extraordinary. As Gum remarked to me on this matter: "Trust me, it's worth the price and you'd be a fool to not capitalise." I responded with a curt nod and a new found perspective on life. ​

Sam McArthur demonstrating that you should always look to your left when finishing a 100m relay. Essential.

Next we had the U18 boys 4X100m relays. in the A team, we had some more insane performances from  Aidan Cusworth, Genyr Diaz, Ashley Wong and Niklas Schultz who displayed more technical innovation with their form than Thomas Edison upon conception of the lightbulb, when they clocked a time of 42.30. The boys flew like eagles, and voices of grandstand members (including the brilliant Nat Wong) became hoarse, screaming in triumph as Ash powered through the final leg to deliver a win for the Tigers. This time was spectacular, breaking the previous record of 42.4 that has stood since 1985. The B 4X100 boys U 18 team also put on a heart stopping show. The fantastic four consisting of Aryan Sharma, Landon Courtney, Josh Fabiani and Flynn Stewart fused their various talents, exploding like Pompeii itself during each leg.  Bravo Tigers. Props to Aryan,  Cooper and Aidan  who like Alex, successfully rocked out a head band. Start a brand boys. We also had the U16 boys 4 X 100 squad consisting of Ethan Haskins, Rory Smith, Oskah Stewart and Josh Fabiani do us proud in a stacked race that will never be forgotten. All the best for the future boys. 

Ash Wong shocked to see hundreds of photographers snapping his finish.

The next exciting set of relays which occurred were the 4X200m relays. In the Open Women's 4 X 200m, we had the Women's A Team come second with a time of 1:44.54 seconds. Loreen Kaliyati and Sophie Winter had every fibre of their being spiritually connect with the track, with track and human becoming hard to differentiate. So seamless was this pairing. Meanwhile, it was heartwarming to see Olivia Nock out in monstrous form again, with an athletic move set so sophisticated, and out of this world, that some have speculated she is a higher life form, who escaped from Area 51 during the raid earlier this year. I cannot comment on the accuracy of such claims.  Jarmillia Murphy Knight also was part of this team, killing it once again with the perfect combination of grace and swiftness, setting QSAC on fire with her ability 

Olivia Nock showcasing the speed that got her out of Area 51.

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The B Team for the Open Women's 4 X 200m also put in a brilliant run with Steph Bain propelling herself through the screaming wind with a battle scream of her own, whilst Laura Mangos channelled something deep within to change the game. Kate Ullman and Maddy Woodbridge clearly had a good breakfast from the athletic prowess they exhibited during this race, with road runner type speed. Hats off ladies!

Steph Bain seconds before releasing a haunting battle scream.

During the Men's 4 X 200 the intensity became nail biting. In the Open's Category, the A Team came first. That's Alex Hartmann, Preston Degarnham, Daniel Mowen and Cedric Dubler getting it done with a time of 1:27.36. These lads deserve to grace the front  of all christmas post cards for the festivity and joy they brought to all of QSAC. Anyone who has a cowboy hat on, now is the time to throw it away and scream, "Yehhaww." Should these boys be in Fast and Furious 10? That's a question I shall leave with you.

Cedric Dubler getting emotional prematurely knowing his team is about to win.

In the B team Liam Johnston, myself (Daniel Jebb), Hayden Shoobridge and Cooper Degarnham ran a time of 1:31.21. The change overs were beautifully executed, and we have all agreed to get tattoos of the red track ticks tattooed on our foreheads in memory. The C Team consisting of Joshua Beale, James Pannam, Jin Yoshi, and Travis Venema also did us proud.  I fell to my coach's feet (Travis), after the race and proclaimed him the King of Brisbane for his performance and teaching, and vowed to wear a Spider-Man costume at the track one day in his name. Will you be my Green Goblin Travis? Joshua Beale certainly thinks will be the case.

Joshua Beale and Travis Venema, the perfect characters for a buddy cop film.

In the Men's 4 X 200 U 20 team, the crowd went wild at a celebrity squad on the track. Sam McArthur, Kalten Mason, Cooper Schmidt and Joseph Gehrke had enough combined will-power to offset the earth's gravitation field, running a time of 1:32.13 to come first. With that mischievous glint in Kalten's eyes, I think it's safe to say these boys knew they had something special to offer. In the B Team we had Mathis Limal, Aryan Sharma, Josh Fabiani and Adam Dobson come fourth in a highly orchestrated and synergistic display of visual goodness. Aryan started break dancing after the event in commemoration of this spectacular day, and as a way to impress Gatorade sponsors. Bravo to the U 20 boys teams. 

Cooper Schmidt defying the laws of physics.

In the boys U 18 4 X 200m team it was an explosive race. Niklas Schultze, Nicholas Meek and Genyr Diaz ran the first three legs with more conviction than early morning Black Friday shoppers.  Sparks were indeed flying, as they always do. A group of Tigers, including myself gathered at various points around the track, and felt the excitement flow through through us as we saw the Tigers excelling. Our cheers, ecstasy, and cries of jubilation ran through the stadium, possibly breaking the sound barrier. Ash put in a strong final leg, winning gold despite a small injury which I hear he is recovering well from. The boys ran a time of 1:31.84 which was absolutely blistering. In a heartwarming event, an abundance of Tigers congregated around  Ash in the medic tent after as an act of solidarity. This demonstrated, not for the first time, that the Tigers are a family, and always have each other's backs.

Genyr Diaz being a symbol of hope to the people.

Several Tigers gathering around the tent in a dramatic afternoon.

Ah yes, the dreaded 400m relays. Now this was a remarkably painful race. I should know as my coach forced me into the bleeding thing. As I remarked to Murry Goodwin afterwards, "That wind was insane" to which he reciprocated such sentimental with his cool and calm demeanour. I want this primary school teacher to educate my children in the future. I already feel smarter from conversing with him. Anyway, that was off tangent so for that I slap my own wrist. 

In the Women's 4 X 400m open team we had quite the sporting division with QUT coming third in a time of 4:07.07. Steph Bain was phenomenal, quickly passing the competition with a stride so wide and elastic Mr Fantastic would be jealous. How she flew. Sophie Winter was maddened with the scent of competition around her, using this to her ultimate competition advantage, while Jarmillia Murphy-Knight refused to allow the adversity of the wind to comprise her turbo capabilities.  Laura Mangos ran the final leg and my goodness she was magnificent. It was a close battle against UQ for third place, and Laura's ears rang with a cacophony of cries urging her to engage that last bit of energy to stay ahead. As her body threatened to give out, her will did not, and she got us third place. Later she draped that bronze medal around her neck to hundreds of paparazzi who would not stop snapping away. I will bend the knee to you Laura for this achievement. 

Facebook Update: Laura Mangos is in a complicated relationship with lactic acid.

In the Open Men's 4 X 400 there were two teams. In the A team we had Alex Hartmann, Liam Johnston, Daniel Mowen and Hayden Shoobridge run a time of 3:25:55 to come second. Daniel Mowen had a brilliant final leg that made the whole stadium shudder from the impact of this herculean figure. It is rumoured that this team per Alex's instruction make a quick stop to Ireland in the weeks prior to this event to kiss the Blarney Stone (stone which when kissed,  allegedly grants good luck - tourist attraction). If this is true boys, then it appears that pit stop was worth the travelling distance.

Dan Mowen: "They can take our lives but they will never take our freedom!"

The B team also put up a heck of a fight, only missing third place by the most narrow margin with a time of 3:31.26. James Pannam started us off, following the most stringent of time specifications. He passed onto Josh Beale, who with this aid of his $600 sunnies ran an incredible leg. The teeth were grit, the face was strained, but the man has never looked better. Someone photo shop him on the catwalk. Cooper Degarnham was so calculated and fluid in his movements that I believed I was watching a terminator T-800 in action: terrifying and awe-inspiring simultaneously. When he passed the baton onto myself for the final leg I took off like a "stabbed rat" true to form, feeling the wind. blow me to hell. In a desperate battle to the finish with QE11 Track Club it was obvious two men weren't going down without a fight. In a close race we just missed third. Congrats to all the opens boys in this event. I salute you!

Cooper Degarnham aka - The Terminator T-800 series.

We also had two teams in the U 20 boys 4 X 400m. The B team came third with a time of 3:33.64. That's Flynn Stewart, Aidan Cusworth, Kalten Mason, and Chanupa Amarasinge, getting it down for the world to see, in picturesque form. These lads should become poster boys for Athletics Australia from the grit they demonstrated. Despite the A team being disqualified, these Tiger lads still got around each other in another heart warming moment for the day. These things happen in the sport and you just have to walk it off when it happens. This support and comradeship allowed these boys to quickly recalibrate and dominate in the 4X200m. Can I have a yeehaww from the men and a woohoo from the ladies?  

Comradeship has never looked better. What the sport is all about.

In the women's open shot put and discus we had strength personified in action. The Open Ladies threw a combined total distance of 25.22m in shot put to come fourth, and 102.20m in discus to come second. Congratulations to Talosaga Kia, Kajsa Shield and Jesse Sims for making those shot put balls, and discus items perform dazzling arcs through the sky, in a feat of super human strength. In the Open Men's, Marty Clark, James Pannam and Julian Celano threw a combined total of 27.23m in shot put, and 99.28m in the discus to come second in both events. If that doesn't make the veins in your neck bulge in absolute  yet positive shock, then I don't know what will. We also had the U 20 boys perform in shot put and discus, with the team consisting of Julian Celano, Ethan Bennets and Flynn Stewart. These lads threw a total of 28.75m in shot put, redefining the norms of the sport, and the muscular capabilities of the body. They also threw a distance of 98.45m to come first in discus. Yeehaww. It would be an egregious wrong for Santa to not stop by the house of these individuals on dec 25 after how much of a positive impact they have had on society, and not to mention the club. 

Jesse Sims: a true master of her craft.

If you thought we didn't have teams for high jump you were wrong: dead wrong. In the Open Women's High Jump we had Aliyah Johnson, Aisha Cuba and Grace Scotney come second with a distance of 4.44m. The way these individuals manoeuvred over the bar was so methodical, and shockingly good, that I had to rush to the water fountain and splash my face to fully process such imagery. There was a long line of paparazzi behind me, similarly waiting to flash their flustered faces. In the U20 boys High Jump, we had Gum Mabor Ethan Haskins, and Will Boland jump a total of 3.47m to come first. Congrats! You all deserve to have your respective faces imprinted on Australian currency going forward. There is nothing I desire more than pulling out a $50 note with Gum's face. The last high jump team we had was the U18 girls, consisting of Aisha Cuba, Grace Scotney and Kajsa Shield. who attained first position with a jump of 4.14m. Bravo to all these high jumpers!

Gum Mabor - the only man I want on the $50 note.

The final event I will recap on is the Long Jump. We had some killer teams braving the dreaded sand put. As Anakin Skywalker once remarked, "I don't like sand..." Well sorry Anakin, but you shot yourself in the foot from potential Long Jump glory. Maybe if Anakin had a grander purpose in sport, he wouldn't have resorted to conquest of the galaxy.

In the Open Women's Long Jump we had Aliyah Johnson, Lily Richter and Rebecca Keen achieve glory, attaining first position with a distance of 16.42m. The crowd went off their nut, screaming in triumph, and I for one don't blame them - this was a show. In the Open Men's Long Jump we had Sam McArthur, Kalten Mason and Travis Venema - nicknamed,  "The Flying Monkey Troop."  They jumped a total of 17.73m to come first. In my opinion these lads have never looked more inspiring than when they were defying the odds in the pit. A chant of "Venema" was taken up by people in the grandstand, causing Travis to slightly tear up afterwards, as he took a bow, and subsequently performed a series of three pirouettes in quick succession to end what he described as "the perfect day." These movements truly encapsulated his entire career, and what the sport is all about. 

Travis Venema, founding member of the Flying Monkey Troop getting his hands dirty.

In the U20's boys Long Jump A team we had Hamish Macintosh, Nick Schultz and Landon Courtney jump 19.22m to come first, and the B team consisting of Gum Mabor, Adam Dobson, and Callum Cossan jump 18.31m to come second. I hope onlookers had a good pair of sunglasses to protect their eyes from such a fiery performance. Congrats lads. In the U20's girls Lily Richter, Aisha Cuba and Maddie Woodbridge also made our Tigers proud leaping for glory and travelling through the sky in a spell bounding display. Congrats to all the Long Jumpers. 

Nick Schultz having the time of his life with the sand.

In the U 18's boys long jump we had Josh Fabiani, Flynn Stewart and Ethan Bennetts come second with a distance of 16.87m. The momentum of these boys was extraordinary, and seemed to defy the laws of physics. In the U 18 girls long jump we had Ara Dugandzic, Ella Graumann and Simone Berndt rise up to the occasion jumping a total of 14.47m. Popcorn was allegedly selling out like mad at the same time these ladies were competing. Correlation? I think so. Lastly we had the U 16's boys team where Ethan Haskins, Oskah Stewart and Rory Smith competed brilliantly, their Tiger Stripes slicing though the air. Congrats to all the long jump participants. 

From left: Ella Graumann, Simone Berndt, Rebecca Keen, and Are Dugandzic adjusting to a life of fame.

This was a long write up, as there were so many brilliant performances to capture. 2019 is nearly over, yet the athletic drive of our Tigers is only just beginning. It was so great to see an abundance of Tigers take over QSAC which resulted in QUT Athletics coming fourth overall for this relay championship. We're only just getting started and we can't wait to see how everyone performs at meets, with good sportsmanship, jovial times, and 100% effort continuing to be hallmarks of our Tiger family. Till the next time. 

Been a pleasure 

​-Daniel Jebb