By Jamie Strudley
Yarra Ranges Athletics athletes were in action at the Little Athletics Victoria State Track and Field Championships over the weekend at Lakeside Stadium. Athletes had to qualify via region championships where their performance earned them a ranking, with the top 24 athletes in each event from throughout Victoria qualifying for the State Championships.
Yarra Ranges Athletics had its biggest team ever at a LAVIC State Championships with 30 athletes qualified. The club was extremely excited to see who could get a PB at the championships. Four athletes earned a total of 6 medals with the highlight being a fantastic Gold medal to Lanni Aborowa in the Girls U12 High Jump. Other medalists were Sasha Carroll (100m hurdles, 300m Hurdles & 800m), Bailey van Bert (800m) and Beau McKinnon (1500m Walk). Full results are
G17
Sasha Carroll 100m 14.09 (9th); 400m 65.40 (4th); 800m 2:34.70 (2nd); 100m hurdles 17.57 (3rd); 300m hurdles 49.72 (2nd);
Erin Taylor 400m 68.22 (7th); Long Jump 4.08m (10th); Triple Jump 8.78m (10th);
G15
Kristina Nackovski 400 63.26 (8th); 800m 2:23.54 (6th);
Kristina Nackovski 2:23.54 (6th);
Keira Taylor Long Jump 4.10m (16th); Shot Put 7.99m (19th);
G14
Kayla Paton 100 13.76 (14th); 200 28.33 (12th);
G13
Brookley Horsburgh 67.72 (23rd); 80m hurdles 15.54 (21st); High Jump 1.20m (18th
Emily Fiedler 80m hurdles 15.29 (19th); 200m hurdles 30.79 (7th);
G12
Mackenzie Graham Discus 19.02m (16th);Shot Put 7.93m (17th);
G11
Holly Yorke 1100m Walk 6:15.19 (4th);
Lanni Aborowa High Jump1.37m (1st);
Arizona Peel High Jump 1.20m (16th);
G10
Zoe Knapman 100m 15.98 (18th); 200m 32.65 (11th); 400m 73.36 (12th); 800m 2:48.80 (5th); High Jump 1.15m (5th);
Georgia McKinnon 1100m Walk 6:18.95 (5th); Shot Put 6.29m (10th
Lucy Oettinger Discus 14.96m (17th);
Isla van Duuren Shot Put 5.40m (23rd);
B17
Bailey van Bert 100m 12.78 (13th); 200m 25.69 (11th); 800m 2:11.38 (1st);
B15
James Crome-Smith 800m 2:12.22 (9th); 1500m 4:37.72 (9th);
Wilbur Davidson-Tuck Discus 22.78m (21st); Javelin 22.03m (19th); Shot Put 7.94m (17th);
B14
Mitchell Pointon 800m 2:21.65 (12th); 1500m 5:05.25 (19th); Javelin 23.82m (17th);
B13
Beau McKinnon1500m Walk 8:04.00 (2nd);
Zac McMillan Shot Put 8.47m (15th);
B12
Jakob Knapman Javelin 22.54m (11th);
B11
Ilikimi Tove Discus 18.93m (22nd); Javelin 21.79m (11th);
B10
Koby Stephens 100m 14.97 (9th); 200m 30.47 (10th); High Jump 1.10m (20th);
Kristian Sultana 100m 15.10 (14th); 60m hurdles 11.21 (9th);
Xander Sommers 1100m Walk 6:52.77 (6th);
Harlem Willis High Jump 1.05m (22nd);
B09
70m: Jesse Pettet 70m 11.15 (11th); 100m 16.01 (15th); 60m hurdles 11.72 (19th);
The final round of little athletics competition for PB points was a twilight round on Friday evening. Near perfect conditions saw a fantastic turnout of families eager to run, jump and throw before the long weekend. There were many PB performances too which will keep the PB awards interesting for presentation day in two weeks.
Next week is a celebration round on Saturday morning. A fun round with some different events and opportunities for the parents/guardians/siblings to join in. Always a fun morning of athletics!
The seniors had a weekend off to prepare for the first round (of two) of AVSL playoffs starting this coming weekend. Yarra Ranges finished on top of the table so are hoping for a big turnout of athletes and some more excellent performances to hopefully win the shield and promotion for 2023-24.
Some athletes competed at the Box Hill Classic on Thursday night. Highlights were a storming finish from Harry Norman to claim second in the Men’s A 3000m, a superb win in the Women’s B 1500 from Zoe Clarke, a sub 10 min 3000m from Briggette Rice and a season best from Noah Wright as he returned to form. Results are:
Women
1500m: Zoe Clarke 4:55.03; Mia Strudley 5:06.78;
3000m: Brigitte Rice 9:56.09; Katrina Winger 10:57.79;
Men
800m: Noah Wright 1:56.08;
3000m: Harry Norman 8:05.30; Max Savill-Bentley 8:37.94;
Training continues for all club members on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 5.30pm. Yarra Ranges Athletics welcomes and encourages all athletes of any age or ability.
If you, or someone you know, wants to join in the Little Athletics fun registration is at www.lavic.com.au. For information on training, how to join or trial, photos, results and updated news, visit the website at yarrarangesathletics.org.au or check us out on Facebook. Run, Jump, Throw…too easy!
