EAGLEHAWK athlete Kathryn Heagney earned the Neil Macdonald Veteran Athlete of the Year award in Flack Advisory Bendigo Region's 2019-20 track and field season action.
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A world-class competitor at Masters level, Heagney's consistency, times and marks in many events were superb.
At 69-years-young, Heagney showed no sign of slowing down as she featured highly in the Age Graded awards, especially in sprints and middle distance running events run at the Latrobe University Bendigo athletics complex in Flora Hill.
She played a key role in Eaglehawk again being the number one team at this year's country championships and capped the season by claiming a much sought-after record in steeplechase.
It's the second time Heagney has earned the Veteran Athlete of the Year title.
Outstanding performances and consistency by athletes who competed on a regular basis were key factors in determining the Allen Stuchbery Memorial aggregate awards.
A tally of 14558 points earned Allie Guillou from South Bendigo Athletics Club the prestigious women's title.
Runner-up was clubmate Emma Orme, 13019, from Eaglehawk's Jorja Morrison, 12784.
It was an Eaglehawk trifecta for the men's award.
David Chisholm scored 20578 points to be a runaway winner from successful competitor, coach and AB general manager Terry Hicks, 17643; and Antony Langdon, 14951.
A 10-time gold medallist at Paralympic level, Tim Sullivan again earned the AWD Athlete of the Year award.
Now in his 40s, Sullivan's speed in the 100m, 200m and 400m was a highlight of Athletics Victoria Shield action.
There were closely-fought duels for the grand prix awards.
All 12 Shield rounds were used to determine placings.
Best five of six rounds counted for each event, and then top three events.
One of many young guns at Eaglehawk AC, James Bentley scored 6946 points to take out the Eaglehawk Floral Botique-sponsored sprints grand prix from clubmates David Chisholm, 6770; and Angus McKindlay, 6047.
The throws grand prix, backed by G.M. and G.L. Hilson Builders, was won by Terry Hicks, 7015.
Next best was national shot put champion and South Bendigo star Emma Berg, 6743, ahead of Eaglehawk's Olivia Graham, 6311.
A world Masters decathlon champion in the 70-plus age group, Geoff Shaw from Bendigo Harriers earned the Intersport Bicknells-backed jumps grand prix title.
An outstanding performer at high jump, triple jump and pole vault, Shaw scored 6100 points to lead South Bendigo's pole vault champion James Woods, 5403, and another of South's young stars, Jessica Grigson, 5317.
University's Tullie Rowe scored 5155 points to capture the Purtill's Nursery-backed middle and long distance running grand prix.
A great season for Rowe included several record-breaking runs.
The consistency and determination of Bendigo Harriers' Anne Buckley and South Bendigo's Debbie Kirne, both in their 50s, earned second and third placings on 4760 and 4527 points.
The Charlie Nolan award for male official of the year was Craig Graham. The Sally Conroy Memorial contributor of the year was awarded to jumps official Pam Farnell.
