Para Athletes bring home the medals at state championships

Joseph Johnston with his Victorian 200m bronze medal next to the Peter Norman Statue at Lakeside Stadium. Picture: SUPPLIED.

By Jamie Strudley

The last two weekends have seen Yarra Ranges Athletics athletes competing at the Athletics Victoria State Track and Field Championships.

Held at Lakeside Stadium. 12 club athletes were in action over the six days of championships with the medal haul consisting of two silver and two bronze medals.

Stand out performances’ came from our para athletes Joseph Johnston and Bradley McMeeken. Joseph secured a bronze medal in the Open Para 200m to go with his fourth place finish in the 100m. Bradley won silver in both the Para U17 800m and 1500m events.

Ash Almond finished a solid third in the Open Men’s Javelin to earn another Bronze medal, emulating his efforts from the 2023 championships.

Full club results are;

Female OP

100m Shani Bullard 14.02 (-0.0) 16th

Discus Hayley Wilkins 29.73m 11th

Javelin Hayley Wilkins 34.12m 5th

Hammer Sarah Ebbels 32.11m 11th

Female 20

100m Ashleigh Rooke 13.20 (1.6) 12th

200m Ashleigh Rooke 27.05 (1.7) 11th

Discus Ashleigh Rooke 28.35m 8th

Hammer Sarah Ebbels 33.04m 7th

Female 17

800m Kristina Nackovski 2.39.44 21st

Female 16

800m Zoe Clarke 2.25.20 6th

1500m Zoe Clarke 5.01.62 10th

Female 15

100m Emily Fiedler 13.72 (-1.4) 10th

200m Emily Fiedler 27.86 (-0.4) 9th

400m Emily Fiedler 61.70 5th

Male OP

100m Mitchell Mullens 11.42 (0.3) (S) 11.25 (1.0) 22nd

Javelin Ash Almond 53.19m 3rd

Male 20

800m Hamish De Wit 2.18.21 25th

Male 16

1500m Mitchell Pointon 4.43.26 18th

Male Para Open

100m Joseph Johnston 13.53 (-1.0) 4th

200m Joseph Johnston 27.14 (-0.7) 3rd

Male P17

1500m Bradley McMeeken 6.41.72 2nd

800m Bradley McMeeken 3.20.91 2nd

This coming weekend it is the turn of our Little Athletics club members as they take on the best in Victoria at the Little Athletics Victoria State Track and Field Championships to be held at Knox on Saturday and Sunday.

YRA will still have some club athletics for the remainder of the little athletics members, this week a twilight round from 5.30pm on Friday. Check socials and the website for early events, group warm ups from 5.30pm.

Training for 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!