Although they are one of the smaller clubs in the competition, there is no doubt that the Mudgee Devils gave the 2019/2020 year a red hot crack, taking out the overall club second place in the Central West Interclub Series.
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A collection of season-long standout performances throughout the mass of the categories is what Mudgee Triathlon Club secretary, Giselle Denley attributes to the club's mighty success.
"Mudgee had a strong interclub season with an excellent turn out to each event and many of our athletes placing in the top three of their age group at each race," she said.
"Our juniors performed consistently competing in most races, including Sian Potter, Campbell Wall and Beau Rohr. Junior, Halle Potter also won a number of podium places in the enticer events.
"We also had two other athletes in the top 10 rankings, Giselle Denley in 7th on 6.5 points and Matt Webster 8th on 6 points. Matt also won his age-group in all his races, but missed the Dubbo race, he also returned to the podium for the final race at Orange with third overall."
While 'seasoned' competitors in the form of Adam Mort, Stewart Campbell, Rebecca and Ed George, Clarke Potter and Greg Atkinson competed in their fair share events, it was Ronda Gainsford who got the highest round of applause, winning her age group in every race and being awarded with the Mudgee MVP prize.
Narelle Quinn received the first Soolan Clifford Memorial Trophy, a dedicated award to a 'dear friend' who passed away in August, 2019.
With the season having experienced a plethora of challenges with the fires and smoke threat to Mudgee, dust and Elton John in Bathurst, heavy rain in Dubbo, the drought affecting Orange and COVID-19 denying Cowra's race, Denley says the Devils can't be much more thrilled with their overall result.
We are very happy to be placed second behind Orange, they are always well represented at each interclub and have some of the best athletes in the Central West, if not the state.
- Mudgee Triathlon Club secretary, Giselle Denley
"Orange were always going to be a tough club to beat, the points system was even slightly modified to reduced the advantage they had but they still ended up with maximum points at all races."
And, although Bathurst have improved throughout the years, according to Denley, Mudgee still managed to outperform them, beating the club by 10.5 points.
"We look forward to a new season without all the weather, fire and virus challenges we faced this year," Denley said.
Results:
- Orange - 120
- Mudgee - 93.5
- Bathurst - 83
- Dubbo - 48.5
- Cowra - 19.5