In a competition which was always going to be close and every point would be vital, the Box Hill Athletic Club’s Women’s team held off strong challenges from the combine team of Bayside and the improving Melbourne University to win it’s second State League Premiership in a row.

The win was just reward for a team which went through the season undefeated and was rarely challenged. The victory over the two nights was a reflection of the season in the way that the team was able to field athletes across nearly all events. Throw in a few star athletes like Wendy Muldoon, Georgina Power, Kerri Jorgensen and juniors Erica Sigmont, Heidi Riordan, and Jocelyn Keage and you have the strongest female club in the state.

The Premiership and the undefeated season is a credit to Team Manager Val Armstrong, who works tirelessly to bring the team together and be there for the athletes every night.

The club is also fortunate to be well served by a number of dedicated coaches who spend countless hours preparing athletes to play a part in this victory. Special mention should be made of Bert Tilley and Wes Windsor who continue to bring athletes from Little Athletics competition through to State League.

"A victory such as this shows how fortunate the Box Hill Athletic Club is to have so many quality coaches", Club President Graeme Olden said. "State League competition is the stepping stone to International competitions, and we are proud to be able to provide athletes with the opportunity to develop at Box Hill through winning teams events such as this."

Box Hill started the night 8 points ahead of Bayside knowing that every point would be vital. In the first event of the night Beth Bird missed a hurdle and was unable to finish the first heat of the 400 metre Hurdles. Sarah Coghill brought the team back with a win in the second heat. Team Captain Cathy Marshall scored in the Long Jump and 16 year old Cecelia Azcura grabbed second in the Hammer Throw.

Once again Wendy Muldoon starred in the 3000 metre walk, taking first and giving the team a boost. Over three heats of 200 competition Sandy Nichols came 3^rd in the first heat, Georgie Power ran one of her fastest times of the season to take second, while team captain Cathy Marshall grabbed first in the third heat.

Sjaan Powley and Elenor Dwyer continued the solid performances in the field events, while 16 year old Jocelyn Keage ran a great race for second in the 5000 metres.

Going into the 800’s the situation was tense, the team had fallen several points behind Bayside and it looked like it was going down to the last event. In stepped Kerri Jorgensen, 18 year old Erica Sigmont and 17 year old Heidi Riordan to take 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd and give the Box Hill Athletic Club a clear break.

This was followed by Georgie Power winning the first heat of the 100 Hurdles, to put the team in an unbeatable position. Michelle Fistric battled hard but was edged into third in the second 100 Hurdles heat. Eliza Eddy, Beth Bird, Sandy Nichols and Erica Sigmont then rounded off the night with a comfortable second in the relay, to give the Box Hill Athletic Club the 2001 premiership.

The question is, how many premierships can the women’s team win in a row?