Alex boys rise to top
IT WAS a golden day for Sunshine Coast clubs at the national surf lifesaving championships on the Gold Coast yesterday, when Alexandra Headland landed a rare triple win.
On a day when a swag of Coast-based open ironwomen and ironmen advanced further, it was Alexandra Headland's under-15 boys' board relay and Cameron relay teams, and Maroochydore's under-15 girls' board relay team that stole the show.
Following up from their win in the under-15 surf relay on Friday, Alexandra Headland youngsters Scott Sinclair, Josh Collis and Nick Green captured the board and Cameron relays in the same division.
In the surf relay, the trio was joined by Jye Williams, and Connor Buhk partnered them in the Cameron relay.
An Australian surf life saving championships spokesman said: "I don't think in recent memory any club in the under-15s has won all three events in that age group."
The competitors wore black armbands in memory of Maroochydore 14-year-old Matthew Barclay, who died while competing in the under-15 board race on Wednesday.
Collis said: "We were all mates with Matthew and wanted to dedicate these wins to his memory.
"He was an awesome competitor ... and although he was a year younger than us, he pushed us all the way. We all miss him."
Maroochydore's win in the under-15 girls' board relay was described as miraculous.
After Bri Massie and April Martin completed their legs, Georgina McDermott entered the water well back.
But she paddled a perfect line and then benefited from fortuitous surf on the race to the beach.
As scores of her Maroochydore clubmates cheered her on, McDermott got her long legs pumping to charge to victory.
"The girl from Maroochydore (McDermott) jumped off her board and I reckon the crowd lifted her over the water. It was just a magic moment," the ASLSC spokesman said.
Martin and McDermott also won the under-15 Cameron relay, along with Chelsea Gillett and Cassie Lee.
Noosa Heads star Jordan Mercer continued her hot streak by adding the national under-19 2km beach run title to the state title she won earlier this month.
The ironman and ironwoman finals will be held today - the final day of the championships.
Coast men to make it through to today's semi-finals include Ali Day, Alex Tibbits, Josh Minogue and Matt Poole (all Mooloolaba) and Corey Jones (Met Caloundra).
The field for the women's final includes Kelly-Ann Perkins, Allira Richardson and Nikki Chapman (all Mooloolaba) and Rebecca Creedy (Met Caloundra).
