Little Athletes draped in State Championship bling

A happy Micah Friend with his five state medals. Pictures: SUPPLIED.

By Jamie Strudley

The Little Athletics Victoria State Track and Field Championships were held over the weekend at a hot, often windy, Knox Athletics Track.

Athletes qualified via their respective region championships ensuring the very best from around the state were in action.

Yarra Ranges Athletics had one of our largest teams competing, with 37 club athletes qualified to compete. We finished the championships with six gold, six silver, four bronze, three fourth place finishes and another four athletes in the top eight. A fantastic weekend of athletics.

The medal haul was led by Micah Friend and Zoe Clarke. Micah, competing in Boys 9-10 Multiclass finished with two gold, two silver and a bronze medal. Zoe, competing in Girls U15 won two gold and one bronze medal from her three events. Other medallists were Brock Peel (one Gold, one Silver), Emily Pincott (Gold), James Chrome-Smith (two Silver), Beau McKinnon (Silver), Tillie Sommers (Bronze), Lanni Aborowa (Bronze).

Full Results are:

Girls U16

800m: Kristina Nackovski 2:48.89 (11th);

Girls U15

100m: Kayla Paton 13.19 (12th);

200m: Kayla Paton 26.77 (11th);

400m: Zoe Clarke 61.21 (3rd);

800m: Zoe Clarke 2:25.07 (1st);

1500m: Zoe Clarke 5:04.68 (1st);

Girls U14

100m: Emily Fiedler 13.16 (16th);

200m: Emily Fiedler 27.28 (13th);

400m: Emily Fiedler 64.41 (14th);

1500m: Tori Kincaid 6:10.68 (18th);

Girls U13

1500m Walk: Brienna Coffey 9:19.66 (4th);

High Jump: Mackenzie Graham 1.40m (7th);

Javelin: Shania Tove 20.27m (16th); Sarina Hathaway 14.89m (21st);

Girls U12

1500m Walk: Holly Yorke 8:54.16 (4th);

High Jump: Emily Pincott 1.50m (1st); Lanni Aborowa 1.40m (3rd); Arizona Peel 1.35m (5th);

Girls U11

400m: Caitlyn McKerlie 74.97 (18th);

1100m Walk: Lucy Oettinger 7:51.33 (16th);

Girls U09

100m: Zahra Lehmann 16.20 (19th);

700m Walk: Tillie Sommers 4:08.52 (3rd);

Long Jump: Zahra Lehmann 3.27m (16th);

Shot Put: Imogen McMillan 4.52m (15th);

Boys U16

800m: James Crome-Smith 2:08.45 (2nd);

1500m: James Crome-Smith 4:36.28 (2nd);

Discus: Wilbur Davidson-Tuck 29.56m (9th);

Javelin: Wilbur Davidson-Tuck 23.43m (10th);

Shot Put: Wilbur Davidson-Tuck 8.79m (11th);

Boys U15

400m: Mitchell Pointon 58.88 (17th);

800m: Mitchell Pointon 2:11.50 (7th); Blake Saloyedoff 2:14.76 (11th);

1500m: Mitchell Pointon 4:46.51 (8th); Blake Saloyedoff 4:50.96 (14th);

Javelin: Mitchell Pointon 25.12m (9th);

Boys U14

1500m Walk: Beau McKinnon 8:25.18 (2nd);

Shot Put: Zac McMillan 10.13m (9th);

Boys U13

Javelin: Jakob Knapman 19.98m (18th);

Shot Put: Jakob Knapman 7.86m (20th);

Boys U12

1500m: Samuel Thomas 5:12.86 (15th);

Discus: Zack Paternoster 21.88m (20th);

Javelin: Ilikimi Tove 28.31m (4th);

Boys U11

100m: Koby Stephens 13.68 (10th);

200m: Koby Stephens 28.84 (14th);

80m Hurdles: Kristian Sultana 13.80 (9th);

1100m Walk: Xander Sommers 6:31.91 (5th);

Long Jump: Koby Stephens 4.33m (5th);

Boys U09

800m: Riley Yorke 3:00.44 (14th);

High Jump: Brock Peel 1.20m (1st);

Long Jump: Brock Peel 3.94m (2nd);

Shot Put: Brock Peel 5.10m (19th);

Boys U910 MC

400m: Micah Friend 2:02.04 (2nd);

800m: Micah Friend 4:52.04 (1st);

Discus: Micah Friend 8.71m (3rd);

Long Jump: Micah Friend 1.66m (2nd);

Shot Put: Micah Friend 4.35m (1st);

Mitch Mullens was in action at the latest HVC meeting. Mitch stormed home to record his fastest time of the year for 100m, running 11.12 seconds, just outside his club record.

This week is our celebration round for our little athletics members with invitations for parents to participate in selected events. This will be our final round of track and field action for the season with our presentation day the week following (23 March). Check socials and website for details.

Training for our six-12yo has finished for the summer season, cross country training will start up on Tuesday evenings in April, enjoy the rest! Seniors training (13yo plus) is on Tuesday and Thursday from 5.30pm at Morrison Reserve. Yarra Ranges Athletics welcomes and encourages all athletes of any age or ability.

Go to lavic.com.au or athsvic.org.au or email info@yarrarangesathletics.org.au for information about events and registration. Cross Country is coming.

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!