BOWYER BACK ON HER GAME
Toowoomba thrower in 2019 return
ATHLETICS: The year began in style for Ellie Bowyer and is ending on a high as the Australian representative javelin thrower begins taking aim at an ambitious 2019 and beyond.
Bowyer in February was named Sports Darling Downs Junior Athlete of the Year on the back of her silver medal win at the 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games.
But after claiming a silver medal at February’s Queensland Junior Championships with a throw of 45.75 metres, Bowyer wound back her sport commitments for an extended mid-year break on the sideline.
Bowyer returned to competition last weekend and produced a throw of 48.68 metres to win her Joanna Stoner event in Brisbane.
That success has proven a perfect tonic for Bowyer to end her year on as she begins planning with coach Grahame Pitt their 2019 path including a shot at qualifying for July’s World University Games in Italy.
Bowyer said her 2018 sport break coinciding with her first year in the work force wasn’t
planned but had helped reinvigorate her.
“I think finishing school and everything had a little to do with it, but I just don’t think it was my year and I decided to take a break,” Bowyer said this week.
“It was good but I missed coming to the shed and seeing all the girls and Pitty.
“I really did miss it. “The break wasn’t too long but it was long enough. I always wanted to come back.”
Bowyer prepared solidly for last weekend’s meeting return.
“We increased our strength and conditioning drills and everything and it worked out really well,” Bowyer said.
“I threw a 48.68 (metres) which is the second best throw I’ve ever done with the 600 gram.
“I threw pretty consistent around that area, so it was a really good start to the season.
“Pitty and I sat down last week and mapped out our plan for 2019.
“We planned a whole strength and conditioning program and throws for next year and the years to come.
“I’m trialling for the world uni games next year.
“I’ve got three metres to go. It’s going to be hard but I’ll be trying my best.
“I’m more keen than ever and I’m enjoying training which is good.”