Commonwealth Games performers Stewart McSweyn and Danielle McConnell have claimed the major honours in Athletics Tasmania’s annual awards.
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King Island runner McSweyn, who turns 23 on Friday, and Hobart hammer thrower McConnell, 24, are both overseas but sent messages of appreciation having been named open athletes of the year.
The cut-off date for performances was after national championships but before the Commonwealth Games where both major award winners appeared in finals – McConnell finishing eighth and McSweyn fifth (5000m) and 11th (10,000m).
Fellow Commonwealth Games team members Hamish Peacock, Huw Peacock, Jack Hale and Sam Walker, were also among nominees for awards.
Despite spending much of the year recovering from a major injury, Launceston teacher Josh Harris won the male distance award after competing in the world championship marathon in London while another Launceston running sensation, Sam Clifford, took home the under-16 male athlete of the year.
Other winners included: Deon Kenzie (para), Alice Randall (female distance), Morgan Gaffney and Jack Hale (sprint/hurdles), Matt Hosie and Raphaela Corney (jumps/combined), Meriem Daoui and Hale (under-20), Harvey Chilcott and Corney (under-18), Rachel Hosie (under-16), Charli Kay and Tom Winkel (under-14) plus Cathy McKeown and Todd Davey (masters).
Launceston stalwart Wim Vaessen received a service to coaching award.