Pictures: Mingara athletes mix it with the best at All Comers meet

Sprinter Josh Ross continued his quest for a spot at his third Olympics with victory at the Mingara All Comers meet and NSW 10000m Race Walking Championships.

A competitor in action during the women’s high jump event during Athletics NSW All comers meet at Mingara. Picture: Troy Snook

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Mingara sprinter Josh Ross continued his quest for an Olympic comeback with an emphatic win in the 100m at the Mingara All Comers and NSW 10000m Race Walking Championships.

Ross, 38, made the most of the home track event, finishing in 11.21 seconds in tough conditions in Saturday’s final, 0.33 sec faster than second-placed Jye Kovacs, 20, also from Mingara.

Mingara’s Bronte Carroll (middle) in action during the Women 100m Sprint Open heats. Picture: Troy Snook

Ross is keen to “keep training and get race fit” as he pushes for his name to be announced in the athletics squad for the Olympics mid year.

He competed at his first Olympic Games in Athens, finishing fifth in round 2 in the 100m and returned to Olympic competition in 2012 as part of the Australian 4x100m relay team.

“I’ve retired a couple of times but I always keep coming back,” Ross said.

“It’s a passion – the feeling of running on a fast track, in front of a crowd, there’s nothing like it.”

Mingara competitor Ashley Pernecker in action. Picture: Troy Snook

Mingara’s Joshua Ross (R) in action during the Men 100m Sprint Open heats at the Athletics NSW All Comers meet at Mingara Regional Athletics Track on January 11. Picture: Troy Snook

Home club athletes also made their mark in the NSW 10,000m walk events. Five Mingara athletes featured in the top seven in the women’s final, led by Allanah Pitcher, who finished second. Tyler Jones won the men’s final and was one of four Mingara athletes in the top five.

Mingara’s Ashley Pernecker in action during the women’s javelin at the Athletics NSW All Comers meet on January 11. Picture: Troy Snook

Mingara’s Stella Norris in action during the women’s Javelin Throw at the Athletics NSW All Comers meet at Mingara Regional Athletics Track on January 11. Picture: Troy Snook

Other highlights included George Wells’ emphatic win in the discus 1kg and Cameron Cheney’s win in the javelin 700g, as well as Craig Cameron’s win in the open 800m.

Mingara’s Craig Cameron on his way to winning the Men 800m Open event during Athletics NSW All Comers meet on January 11. Picture: Troy Snook

Mingara’s Richelle Ingram in action during the Women 100m Sprint Open heats event during Athletics NSW All Comers meet at Mingara Regional Athletics Track January 11. Picture: Troy Snook

Mingara’s Angela Jones in action during the Women Javelin Throw event during Athletics NSW All Comers meet at Mingara Regional Athletics Track on January 11. Picture: Troy Snook

The All Comers meet has Athletics Australia Permit Status enabling athletes to qualify for National and International competitions and set state and national records.

Mingara’s Jade Beaven (L) & Port Stephen athlete Shari Hurdman (R) in action during the Women 100m Sprint Open heats event at the Athletics NSW All Comers meet at Mingara. Picture: Troy Snook

Gosford’s Jay Clarke (c) in action during the Men 100m Sprint Open heats event during Athletics NSW All Comers meet at Mingara Regional Athletics Track on January 11. Picture: Troy Snook