By Jamie Strudley
A week after Harry Norman won the Victorian Men’s 5000m Championship our women middle distance team earned another state title for our growing club.
The Athletics Victoria State Track Relay Championships were held at Doncaster track on Saturday. We had three teams compete in the Open Women’s grade finishing with one gold and two fourth place finishes.
Highlight of the day was a hard-fought win in the 4 x 800m relay with Zoe Clarke, Rori Jones, Mia Strudley and Brigette Rice combining for team relay gold.
Earlier in the day the same quartet had run fourth in the 4x1500m relay and a team comprising Ash Rooke, Rori Jones, Zoe Clarke and Brigette Rice stormed around a 1600m Medley relay for another fourth placing.
Results are:
Open Women Medley Relay: (Ashleigh Rooke, Rori Jones, Zoe Clarke, Brigitte Rice) 4:21.04 (4th);
Open Women 4x800m: (Zoe Clarke, Rori Jones, Mia Strudley, Brigitte Rice) 10:07.89 (1st);
Open Women 4x1500m: (Zoe Clarke, Mia Strudley, Rori Jones, Brigitte Rice) 20:57.32 (4th)
As a small, family-oriented club we are beginning to make our presence felt at state and national competitions with state titles, major events at Morrison Reserve and very competitive AVSL and XCR teams. Always room for more members to help improve the club.
Our Little Athletics club members enjoyed the annual club v club day on Saturday morning, always a colourful and exciting day as our four clubs (Mustangs, Redbacks, Comets and Jaguars) compete for the champion club trophy. The chants, cheering and rivalry creates a fantastic morning of fun athletics.
Next week is the club combined event championship with athletes competing in the same events the age group and gender would participate at the State Combined Championships. A great warm up for those competing at the State champs and a fun day where points for performances makes for interesting results.
Our seniors return to AVSL action on Friday night at Doncaster or Duncan McKinnon tracks where a nitro style competition awaits.
We will then turn our attention to the performances of three club members competing at the ON Zatopek Festival at Lakeside Stadium. An event style never seen before in Melbourne with bridges over the track, spectators on the infield and plenty of music, food and fun. Harry Norman will compete in the Men’s 10000m event which also doubles as the Australian Championships. Zoe Clarke will run in the Jamieson Girls U16 Mile and Brigette Rice competes in the Ondieki Women’s U30 3000m.
Congratulations to the 30 teams that have qualified through to the Little Athletics Track Relay Championships on 16 December at Lakeside Stadium.
Training for our six-12yo continues on Tuesdays from 4pm. Seniors training (13yo plus) is on Tuesday and Thursday from 5.30pm at Morrison Reserve. Check the socials and website for more details and sessions available with our throws and jumps coaches. 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 track and field registration is now open. Go to www.lavic.com.au or www.athsvic.org.au or 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!
