Athletics action aplenty

Several NSWIS athletes were in fine form over the weekend as athletic action took place around the globe.

One of the highlights from the weekend saw NSWIS athlete Josh Ralph pick up a bronze medal at the 2015 IAAF World Relays as part of the Australian men’s 4x800m relay team.

Joining compatriots Ryan Gregson, Jared West and Jordan Williamsz in the event, the Australians crossed the line in fourth place only to be promoted to third after Kenya was disqualified for an illegal changeover.

The Australians finished in 7:16.30 behind the USA and Poland on the podium.

There was more good news for Australia as the women’s 4x400m relay team booked a spot at the 2016 Olympic Games after securing a finals berth in the Bahamas.

The quartet, featuring NSWIS athlete Anneliese Rubie, just had to finish the race to confirm the team’s spot in Rio, eventually finishing seventh overall.

Elsewhere, NSWIS athlete Madeline Heiner continued her strong form by running an Olympic and world championships qualifier at the 2015 Payton Jordan Invitational in the USA.

Heiner clocked a new personal best of 15:11.17 in the women’s 5000m, the fastest time by an Australian in nine years, to go a long way towards securing a spot in Beijing for the world championships and Rio for the Olympics.