NSW has good outing at National Orienteering League in Victoria

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Last Updated: Friday, 06 July 2012 15:44

A number of our best athletes and upcoming juniors travelled to Victoria this weekend to compete in the opening NOL races. Matthew Parton, Josh Blatchford and Rob Preston were all racing in the Men's Open Elite and brought in some good results in a competitive field. Matthew Parton had the best result amongst the men with his 3rd place in the Sprint race, but they were all on their game with Rob Preston's very consistent 5th in both Middle and Long Distance races, and Josh Blatchford bringing home a 7th in the Sprint, 8th in the Middle and 10th in the Long Distance. Alex Massey and Kasimir Gregory were racing in the Men's Junior Elite but never quite got on terms with some of the other Junior Elites who were on fire. Oscar McNulty won the Sprint in a blistering 12:44, missed winning the Middle by a mere minute and won the Long Distance comfortably in 76:24 ahead of Ian Lawford's 82:46.

In the Women's Junior Elite races the NSW names to watch were Nicola Blatchford and Michele Dawson. Nicola had a fine run to come 3rd in the Sprint event with Michele Dawson close behind in 4th. However once the distances got longer it was Michele who took the lead winning a classy Middle Distance event in 40:59 a full minute ahead of rival Lilian Burrell and two minutes ahead of old rival from Queensland, Heather Muir. Michele also picked up 4th in the Long Distance completing an excellent weekend for her.

Outside the Elite classes NSW had notable successes in the Middle Distance and Long Distance events. Paul Marsh (Big Foot) picked up 2nd in Over35 Middle Distance, Nick Dent (Central Coast) 3rd in Over 60 Middle and 1st in the Long, Dave Lotty (Uringa) scored a satisfying 1st in Over 65 Middle and 3rd in the Long, and Karen Blatchford (Newcastle) podiumed twice in the Over 45 women's event with a 2nd for the Middle and 3rd in the Long Distance.