By Jamie Strudley
The wait for our Little Athletics athletes was finally over on Saturday. A big team of club athletes travelled to Ruffey Lake, Doncaster for the Eastern Region Cross Country Championships. The course was a tough, hilly course providing plenty of challenges for all athletes.
Yarra Ranges Athletics had team medals in the U9 Girls (Gold), U11 Girls (Bronze) and U12 Girls (Bronze). Congratulations to our individual medalists, Milly Hall, James Crome-Smith, Kristina Nackovski, Ryder Holland, Micah Friend and Bradley McMeeken. Results are:
U9 Girls 1500m Milly Hall 7:12.22 (2nd); Amelia Sketchley 7:24.22 (4th); Lilah Fear 7:26.74 (5th); Hayley Nealon 8:00.09 (14th); Indi Budin 8:27.10 (18th);
U9 Boys 1500m Fletcher Norman 8:19.66 (15th);
UU10 Girls 1500m Isla Haisma 7:57.06 (9th);
10 Boys 1500m Archie Budin 6:19.60 (6th); Dominic Nealon 8:34.94 (15th);
U11 Girls 2000m Holly Yorke 9:50.10 (12th); Pippa Congreve 9:53.19 (13th); Lexi Aders 10:34.30 (18th);
U11 Boys 2000m Jonty Friend 11:40.62 (21st);
U12 Girls 2000m Brienna Coffey 9:30.26 (9th); Adele Ellis 9:42.86 (10th); Lily Clarke 9:57.89 (12th); Janna Rodriguez 10:39.63 (14th);
U13 Girls 3000m Brookley Horsburgh 15:13.63 (6th); Tori Kincaid 16:43.54 (8th);
U13 Boys 3000m Ryder Holland 12:24.58 (2nd); Finn Rossthorn 13:19.99 (7th);
U14 Girls 3000m Zoe Clarke 14:15.33 (4th);
U15 Girls 3000m Kristina Nackovski 14:56.21 (2nd);
U15 Boys 3000m James Crome-Smith 15:20.22 (1st);
U9-10 Multiclass 1500m Micah Friend 10:39.64 (2nd);
U11-17 Multiclass 2000m Bradley McMeeken 12:14.15 (1st);
We also had three athletes run in the U6-U8 fun run, well done to Riley Yorke, Luca Rossthorn and Spencer Norman.
Saturday morning cross country will be back this Saturday with our annual Handicap Races, this year at Lillydale Lake. The day is based on performances from throughout the season used to determine a time based handicap for each athlete. The aim is to have every athlete cross the finish line together, making for a fun, exciting finish to each event. Arrive early to help set up and to learn your handicap.
Our seniors will be in action in Ballarat on Sunday morning with 6km and 15km races around Lake Wendouree, made famous as the training loop of Steve Monaghetti.
Training continues for all club members on Tuesday from 5.30pm at Morrison Reserve and Thursday evenings from 5.30pm at Victoria Road Primary School gym. Yarra Ranges Athletics welcomes and encourages all athletes of any age or ability.
If you, or someone you know, wants to join in the fun of cross country email info@yarrarangesathletics.org.au for information about events and registration.
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!
