South Australian Tomas Semmler has claimed the Bay Sheffield Gift
A self confessed former computer nerd has claimed the state’s richest footrace after a titanic Bay Sheffield battle while the niece of a former Adelaide footballer is the women’s champion.
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South Australian sprinter Tomas Semmler has gone from computer nerd to Bay Sheffield champion after claiming victory in the state’s richest sprint at Colley Reserve on Saturday.
Semmler edged out the heavily backed Tom Sclanders in the charge to the line with Calum Scrivens, triumphant in the Open 70m on Friday, third.
Helena Schwerdt backed up her superb semi-final effort with a highly impressive win the women’s Bay Sheffield, beating Kayla Lemm and Hayley Orman in the 120m sprint.
Semmler, who claimed the winner’s prize of $14,000, has been running in the professional ranks for just three years and his success was reward for a well-timed program after targeting the Gift at the start of the year.
“It has been a big journey,” Semmler said. “I was a little computer nerd and wanted to get fit, so I started competing in little athletics.
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“And here I am now. It is unreal and this win is for my family and friends.
“I knew I could do it. With these races anything can happen, but I knew I had to put it together in the final, and I did.
“I’ve raced Tom (Sclanders) plenty of times and know what he is capable of. I only just got him in the last 10m, I had to stay composed and believe in myself.”
Sclanders was concerned for the condition of the track in the warm up, saying it felt a little slippery, and a sandy patch 20m from the finish did not help his cause.
However, he was full of praise for the victor and was adamant Semmler deserved the victory.
Semmler will now focus on his amateur career with his priorities being the state championships in February and the national titles in Sydney.
Schwerdt, daughter of former Central District footballer Patrick and niece of former Adelaide player Stephen, justified her decision to switch from surf life saving beach events to athletics with the win.
“It is amazing, I have been working towards this all season,” she said. “I wanted to have a crack at all the pro meets this season and try my hardest, this tips it off.
“I have watched the Bay Sheffield for so many years and to win it is amazing.”
Schwerdt’s confidence had been boosted by a win at the Brighton meet in the lead up the Glenelg carnival and she said that performance had set her up well.
Rio Olympian Alex Hartmann missed a spot in the Gift final, but won the consolation 120m Invitational Backmarkers. Josh Ross was third.