By Jamie Strudley
Another big week for Yarra Ranges Athletics with our athletes spread far and wide, records being broken and our athletes on the big stage at Zatopek.
The week’s competitions started with the opening round of HVC for the summer. The series is specifically for sprinters (High Velocity Club). Liam Russell travelled to Lakeside Stadium to continue his chase for PB’s coming away with a Club Record 60m of 7.87 seconds and a 53.15 second 400m effort.
Next up was our senior team competing in round six of the AVSL season. Some outstanding individual and relay performances from the night including a win for Mitch Mullens in heat one of the 60m and 15 new club records. Results from the night are:
Women
60m: Ashleigh Rooke 08.48 (-2.1) (Record Open & U20); Kayla Paton 08.60 (-0.2) (Record U16); Shani Bullard 08.73 (-0.4); Georgia Boundy 08.76 (-0.4); Emily Fiedler 08.98 (Record U14); Taryn Bourke 08.99; Erica Purcell 10.25 (-1.7);
600m: Kristina Nackovski 1:45.97 (Record Open & U16); Rori Jones 1:51.49 (Record U20); Mia Strudley 1:52.41; Taryn Bourke 1:53.12; Ashleigh Rooke 1:56.19; Erica Purcell 2:26.11;
Mile: Mia Strudley 5:47.39; Rori Jones 5:55.19;
2000m Walk: Carolyn Rosenbrock 11:10.9h (Record Open & 40+); Emilie Garside 12:51.4h;
2x100m: (Taryn Bourke, Ashleigh Rooke) 27.60 (record Open); (Kayla Paton, Emily Fiedler) 27.70 (Record U16);
High Jump: Shani Bullard 1.33m;
Long Jump: Ashleigh Rooke 4.30m; Shani Bullard 4.23m; Emily Fiedler 4.12m (Record U14); Kayla Paton 4.05m; Erica Purcell 3.20m; Sharon Cook 2.16m
Shot Put: Hayley Wilkins 8.61m; Ashleigh Rooke 7.96m; Anne-Marie Ebbels 6.82m; Sharon Cook 6.53m; Shani Bullard 6.40m;
Men
60m: Mitchell Mullens 07.26 (-1.4) (Record Open); Liam Russell 08.02 (-1.6);
600m: Liam Russell 1:30.46; Mitchell Pointon 1:37.56 (Record U16); Hamish De Wit 1:39.59;
Mile: Mitchell Pointon 5:03.65;
2x100m: (Mitchell Mullens, Liam Russell) 22.66 (Record Open); (Mitchell Pointon, Ash Almond) 26.36;
High Jump: Ash Almond 1.43m;
Long Jump: Liam Russell 5.49m; Ash Almond 4.53m;
Shot Put: Ash Almond 8.24m; Mitchell Mullens 7.64m;
Saturday afternoon saw the Little Athletics competition continue, this week the eagerly awaited “Combined Events” round. A round where athletes compete in five preselected events with every performance generating points. Athletes with the highest points total from all events are awarded medals. Competition was friendly but fierce as athletes continued their quest for PB’s. Results in next week’s report. Mustangs were awarded the Club Champions trophy after a hard fought team championship round the previous weekend.
Saturday night was a new version of a traditional night of distance running at Lakeside Stadium. The annual Zatopek meet was held this year with the support of On. A bridge over the track for spectators to stand on the infield, a 30m tent spanning all lanes for athletes to run through on the back straight, DJ pumping out sounds all night and some of Australia’s very best athletes on show made for a fantastic evening. Yarra Ranges Athletics got to support two club members during the evening.
Zoe Clarke showed she is returning to form with an excellent seventh place in the Sarah Jamieson U16 Mile, while Harry Norman ran in the main event, the Zatopek 10,000 race finishing a solid 20th in what was also the Australian 10000m Championships.
Good luck to Brigette Rice and Bradley McMeeken who are competing at the Australian All Schools Track and Field Championships in Perth next weekend. The seniors have a weekend off, perhaps to enjoy some home track action watching the Little Athletics competition on Saturday morning from 8.30am.
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 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!
