Athletics records fall
Women’s ADF 100m record among swag of Army titles

Wonder woman: Capt Dee Jackson, winner of the 100m, 200m and 400m Women’s ADF Championship records, blitzes the pack in the 400m race. Photo provided by Sgt Robert Combe.

By Sgt Robert Combe

ARMY’s women athletes took the limelight at the combined Victorian Country and ADF Track and Field Championships in Geelong last month, with a myriad of outstanding performances and record-breaking times.

Capt Dee-Ann Jackson, from 13CSSB, broke the women’s ADF championship record for the 100m, 200m and 400m with 12.73 seconds, 25.69 seconds and 58.83 seconds respectively.

Appearing in track and field for the first time since crossing from basketball, the ADF sprint champion humbly avoided questions about her success at the championships.

“They aren’t my best times, and that has a lot to do with the time I’ve had off over the past month from training and moving to my new posting,” Capt Jackson said.

“I know there are a lot of good female sprinters out there in Defence that don’t know it yet, because there aren’t enough races for them.

“We have plenty of long distance runners, but the potential for good sprinters is there.

All we need is more opportunities for women in Defence to show their wares, other than at yearly brigade athletic meets.

“The best way for girls to get involved in sprinting at the moment is to join a civilian athletic club for regular competition and training.”

Army’s other successful runner at the championships was Capt Anne Bortolussi from 8CSSB, who entered six events and took gold in 800m, 1500m and 3000m with personal best times.

Capt Bortolussi ran the 800m in 2 minutes 40 seconds, the 1500m in 5 minutes 40 seconds and the 3000m in 11 minutes 55 seconds.

She said the personal bests were a good surprise, as she normally competes in the 10km races.

“I thought that the speedy shorter distance runners would take off and leave me for dead,” she said.

“I plan to try these events again on a more frequent basis.”

Capt Bortolussi said the combined championships were also an excellent recruiting activity for Defence.

“As well as show casing some of our best runners, it provided a good opportunity for the civilian population to see that they do not have to give up their sporting career if they join the ADF,” she said.

Another of Army’s successes was Cpl Amy Hall who took gold in javelin, shot put and discus, and was placed in seven other events.

Capt Jo-Anne Hem from ALTC broke the ADF championship record in the 3000m with a time of 11 minutes 50 seconds, and Sgt Rob Combe took 42 seconds off the Men’s Veteran 3000m Steeplechase record with a time of 10 minutes 43 seconds.

Capt Rory Hale from ARTC won the Men’s Open 100m in 11.82 seconds and long jump (5.61m) double. Army Athletics Coordinator Cpl Wayne Heath from 2HSB said the women did put on a good performance.

“Their focus now will be bringing that success to the Arafura Games,” he said.