Gift win for O'Neill

THE Cobden Gift drew a bumper crowd on Saturday as premier athletes descended on the region for a thrilling day of track and field action.

By wd-news

Victory is sweet: Mitchell O’Neill experienced the rush of adrenaline as he raced home to claim victory in the 100m men’s Cobden Gift over the weekend, marking for his first major win as his family celebrated with him in adulation of his hard working paying off.

The moment of the day was credited to Wollongong’s Mitchell O’Neill, who took out the men’s 100m Cobden Gift ahead of Michael Moschou and Tom Pellow in a blazing 10.484.

O’Neill couldn’t contain his excitement as he crossed the finish line, pumping his fist with wide eyes in search of his elated family who rushed to his side to celebrate what was his first major victory.

“I’ve always wanted a sash,” he said.

“I’ve got no words – it’s been a few years, I’ve been a track and field athlete for quite a while and came in to pro running around three years ago.

“To get a sash was, I suppose, esoteric.

“Unreachable is what it felt like for so long, but the stars just aligned and I got it.”

O’Neill said he began to grow his confidence in the later stages of the race when he was neck and neck with Tom Pellow – history repeating itself from when the two went neck and neck in the third semi-final before O’Neill surged ahead for a one-two finish.

“I knew when I was neck and neck with Tom Pellow,” he said.

“With maybe 15 metres to go, I knew what had happened in the semi – so I knew there was a chance for me to come out on top of him.

“As we approached the line, with five or ten to go, that’s when I knew.”

The women’s 100m Cobden Gift final was won by Melbournian Amelia Spenceley, who finished ahead of Kayla Montagner in a time of 11.520.

She said she had not anticipated success, but felt a strong run saw her get home in good time.

“I’m feeling very, very good,” she said.

“I’m so happy with that run – I wasn’t really expecting it but I’m surprised.

“It’s a really good track, great atmosphere and everyone was behind each other with a smile on their face.”

Other podium results for the 2024 Cobden Gift were:

70m open final - Elijah Cross (7.678), Blake Jones White (7.730) and Amelia Spenceley (7.763).

100m open final - Oliver McDougall (12.210), Zarli Best (12.499), Alfie Oglethorpe (12.512).

100m under 18 - Archie Minett (11.052), Patrick Game (11.086) and Alfie Oglethorpe (11.287).

100m over 35 - Matthew Harvey (11.383), Ross Langbein (11.424), Laura McDougall (11.604).

300m open men - Cameron Moss (33.65), Endale Mekonnen (33.89) and Matthew Warren (34.17)

300m open women - Kylee Drew (39.45), Katharine Wright (39.54) and Tiana Shillito (40.00).

800m over 45 - Brendan Norden (2:04.75), Corina Kapusta (2:05.68), Mark Tapping (2:08.09).

300m over 35 - Rob Italia (36.24), Davina Strauss (36.67), Bruce Kinnersly (36.84) Cooper Lubeck (4:19.37), Charlie Suther-land (4:20.71), Ingrid Woodward (4:21.64).

The Cobden Gift, the second year the event has run, was again hailed a success from organisers and athletes alike.

O’Neill said he would “definitely” be returning.

“There’s nothing like gifts, it makes it interesting and the excitement and belief builds with each heat and semi-final,” he said.

“The friendships I’ve made with people, who came out of their way to come up and say hello, it’s super competitive but it also really friendly – I’d recommend it to anyone.”

Spenceley echoed the sentiment, saying Cobden had been a great setting for the first event of the year on the Victorian Athletic League calendar.

“It’s been really good,” she said.

“You’re never sure what the turnout is going to be like for the first event of the season but Cobden has been great.

“It’s a really nice event.”

Cobden and Mortlake Gifts ambassador Mia Gross, a national champion, Commonwealth Gam-es bronze medallist and 2024 Paris Olympian, said she was pleased to see how successful the day had been with an enthusiastic crowd and a diverse field of talents.

“It’s going really well – both years we’ve seen more traction, and more entries coming to small towns,” she said.

“It’s good to see it bringing a lot back to the community with lots of people going to the shops and the pubs.

“It’s really cool to be around the little kids who watch this stuff and might be inspired – country towns are cricket and football dominated – but they might be willing to give track and field a go.

“Coming out to country towns is quite cool, it’s nice roots to set.”