By Jamie Strudley
A sometimes warm, sometimes cold, often windy Lakeside Stadium was the venue for three days of track and field action for the 2017 Victorian All schools Championships.
An event that brings together athletes from schools throughout Victoria – and this year a team from Malaysia – produces some of the closest and vigorous competition school athletes are likely to encounter.
Yarra Ranges Athletics had 18 athletes competing over the three days, earning a total of two gold, five silver, and three bronze medals and countless personal bests.
It was particularly encouraging to see how many personal bests were recorded during the championships, a sign that athletes are putting in the extra efforts required at a state championship.
Results are:
Under-14 Girls – Ashleigh Rooke 100 19th 14.14, Ashleigh Rooke 200 17th 29.90, Kiara Flavel 400 2nd 59.99, Kiara Flavel 800 1st 2.16.81, Maddie Laven 1500 2nd 4.50.68, Sarah Ebbels Hammer 4th 25.15m, Amy Pearce High Jump 15th 1.30m
Under-15 Girls – Jemima Wilson 1500 7th 5.19.73, Maddie Laven 3000 5th 10.27.16, Mia Strudley 2000ST 5th 8.02.64
Under-16 Girls – Olivia De Vincentis 800 12th 2.34.00
Under-17 Girls – Georgia Laven 800 2nd 2.17.77, Georgia Laven 1500 1st 4.43.44, Zoe Sibley 3000 8th 11.00.00
Under-18 Girls – Grace Muller 3000 3rd 10.55.78, Ashlinn Walker Long Jump 9th 4.37m, Ashlinn Walker Triple Jump 6th 9.63m
Under-15 Boys – Angus Norman 800 7th 2.12.55, Angus Norman 1500 12th 4.47.03
Under-17 Boys – Harrison Van Duuren 800 3rd 1.56.81, Hayden Rooke 400H 7th 1.05.93, Brayden Woolridge Discus 6th 36.16m, Brayden Woolridge Javelin 6th 42.57m
Under-18 Boys – Harry Norman 800 2nd 1.57.54, Zane Wheeler High Jump 6th 1.80m
Under-20 Men – Max Savill-Bentley 5000 2nd 17.27.83
Yarra Ranges Little Athletics athletes enjoyed the fun of twilight competition.
A modified program provided opportunities to compete in some events for the first time this season and finish in time to enjoy a barbecue dinner.
On Saturday 17 November, many athletes will be representing the club at the Eastern Metropolitan Region track relay championships, while Yarra Ranges hosts a round of AV shield at its Morrison Reserve venue.
It’s a perfect opportunity for club athletes to see what all the fun of shield is like or to watch some fantastic athletics competition.
The club could also use as many helpers as possible in the canteen and on the barbecue to help raise funds for the club.
Next weekend, the little athletics competition returns to Saturday morning while seniors compete in round five of AV shield at Knox.
It’s not too late to get involved in Little Athletics or the senior competition with Athsvic.
Email join@yarrarangesathletics.org.au.
