Morrison Reserve buzzing with athletes

Under 9 Girls with their gold baton after winning their 4x200m relay. Pictures: SUPPLIED.

By Jamie Strudley

It was a big week of athletics action for Yarra Ranges Athletics athletes last week. The opening round of Vic Milers, another huge turnout for little athletics, AVSL at home and our littles at Box Hill Relays.

First up was the opening round of Vic Milers held at Lakeside Stadium on Thursday night. 3000m races were all that was on offer, our athletes made the most of the opportunity.

Harry Norman finished the Mens A race with his traditional storming sprint to claim second place, narrowly missing a PB running 8.07.97.

For the first time ever we had two athletes in the Open Women A race with Olivia Twining and Brigette Rice on the start line. Brigitte ran with her typical aggression chasing the early pace, fading a little in the last lap but still running a club U18 record 9.56.76 for 11th place. Olivia ran a steady race maintaining her rhythm to finish 18th in 10.27.37.

Grace Muller and Katrina Winger were seeded into the same race, both running their first track race of the summer. Grace was never far from the front of the race finishing 5th in 10.53.96 with Kat not far behind in eighth, running 11.02.19.

Saturday morning started in warm sunshine as the little athletics competition continued. An early start to allow for the seniors hosting AVSL in the afternoon, did not deter another huge turnout of athletes, all keen to secure more PB’s.

AVSL competition returned to Mt Evelyn for the first time this season. The premier inter club competition in Victoria brings athletes from clubs throughout Melbourne. With over 900 individual event entries the day was busy, with some impressive results.

Seven club records were broken during the day including a comprehensive 4x200m relay win. Records (to be confirmed) were:

Women Open 100m Hurdles – Shani Bullard 20.35, Women Open 2000m Walk – Emilie Garside 12 mins 25.71, Women Open (& WU20) 4x200m Relay 1 min 56.51 – Zoe Clarke, Mia Strudley, Rori Jones, Ashleigh Rooke, Women 40+400m – Elisabeth Coffey 66.81, Women 50+ Hammer – Anne-Marie Ebbels 27.04m, Women 50+ Javelin – Anne-Marie Ebbels 15.62m, Men U14 2000m Walk – Beau McKinnon 11 min 21.44

AVSL Round 4 results

Women

100m: Ashleigh Rooke 13.18; Zoe Clarke 14.25; Taryn Bourke 14.27; Shani Bullard 14.33; Rori Jones 14.74; Elisabeth Coffey 15.09; Mia Strudley 15.66; Erica Purcell 16.31;

400m: Zoe Clarke 64.97; Taryn Bourke 65.56; Elisabeth Coffey 66.81; Olivia Twining 66.90; Ashleigh Rooke 67.34; Rori Jones 67.97; Mia Strudley 69.95; Lily Clarke 86.55; Erica Purcell 86.64;

800m: Kristina Nackovski 2:44.59;

1500m: Olivia Twining 4:50.66; Zoe Clarke 5:02.79; Rori Jones 5:27.20; Mia Strudley 5:28.22; Lily Clarke 5:56.27; Carolyn Rosenbrock 6:37.39; Emilie Garside 7:47.23;

100m Hurdles: Shani Bullard 20.35;

2000m Walk: Emilie Garside 12:25.71;

5000m Walk: Carolyn Rosenbrock 29:09.3h;

4x200m: Yarra Ranges U20 1:56.51; Yarra Ranges OW 2:04.41;

Discus: Meg Sparkes 28.03m;

High Jump: Shani Bullard 1.35m;

Javelin: Hayley Wilkins 30.47m; Ashleigh Rooke 23.96m; Meg Sparkes 17.38m; Anne-Marie Ebbels 15.62m; Sharon Cook 11.44m;

Long Jump: Olivia Twining 4.34m; Ashleigh Rooke 4.10m; Shani Bullard 4.06m; Zoe Clarke 4.05m; Rori Jones 3.92m; Elisabeth Coffey 3.73m; Mia Strudley 3.36m; Erica Purcell 2.99m; Lily Clarke 2.87m; Sharon Cook 2.27m; Emilie Garside 2.10m;

Shot Put: Hayley Wilkins 8.45m; Meg Sparkes 6.28m;

Hammer: Sarah Ebbels 32.28m; Anne-Marie Ebbels 27.04m;

Men

100m: Mitchell Mullens 11.44; Liam Russell 12.30; Oliver Duncan 12.45; Joseph Johnston 13.42; Alistair Coffey 14.85;

400m: Liam Russell 54.76; Oliver Duncan 58.79; Mitchell Pointon 60.75; Ryder Holland 65.09; Joseph Johnston 66.66; Finn Rossthorn 75.69; Bradley McMeeken 88.35;

1500m: Max Savill-Bentley 4:24.86; Angus Norman 4:34.80; Mitchell Pointon 4:38.86; Hamish De Wit 4:52.66; Ryder Holland 4:57.40; Michael Clarke 5:07.66; Alistair Coffey 5:22.94; Finn Rossthorn 5:29.71; Bradley McMeeken 6:44.86;

2000m Walk: beau McKinnon 11:21.44

4x200m: Yarra Ranges 1 1:45.63; Yarra Ranges 2 2:05.16;

Discus: Ash Almond 28.58m;

High Jump: Oliver Duncan 1.60m; Michael Clarke 1.45m;

Javelin: Ash Almond 48.06m;

Long Jump: Liam Russell 5.34m; Oliver Duncan 5.50m; Alistair Coffey 3.97m;

Shot Put: Ash Almond 9.26m;

The Little Athletics’ team warmed up for next week’s region relays at the Box Hill Relays on Sunday. The squad had 58 teams entered, with events being 4×100, 4×200 and Medley relay (100, 300, 200, 400) finishing with two gold, six silver, eight bronze and one fourth place finishes.

It will be another busy week this week with the Victorian 5000m Track Championships on Thursday at Lakeside Stadium, EMR Region Relays being hosted at Morrison Reserve on Saturday and the club’s seniors travelling to Frankston for round 5 of AVSL.

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 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 lavic.com.au or 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!