By Jamie Strudley
Yarra Ranges Athletics’ Beau McKinnon was selected as part of a 36 person team to represent Little Athletics Victoria at the annual Colgate Games in Auckland. The event runs over three days and brings together athletes aged eight to 14 from all over NZ as well as some international athletes. This was the first time Victoria has sent a team to the event.
Beau enjoyed the team aspect, staying at AUT Millennium, a high performance training centre on the North Shore. He performed well in his best event, taking the Gold Medal in the 1600m walk. He also picked up a couple of PBs in other events over the weekend.
Just prior to the Christmas break Yarra Ranges athletes competed in round 2 of the Vic Milers series. Zoe Clarke was the standout performance storming to a win in her 800m race. Results are:
Women
800m: Zoe Clarke 2:21.72; Mia Strudley 2:34.26;
1500m: Brigitte Rice 4:47.97; Olivia Twining 4:51.42;
Men
800m: Mitchell Pointon 2:16.02; Craig Hewitson 2:40.74;
A busy last week or so has seen many YRA athletes in action. Shani Bullard and Ash Almond competed in the Victorian open Multi Event Championships held over two days at Lakeside Stadium. Shani, competing in the women’s Heptathlon, worked through the seven events to finish in seventh place with a new club record of 2197 points.
Ash finished with a silver medal in the men’s decathlon breaking an 8 year old club record recording 3659 points for the gruelling 10 discipline event. Results are:
Female Open
Heptathlon: Shani Bullard 2197pts: 800m: 3:36.79 (100pts); Long Jump: 4.02m (-0.1) (312pts); 100m Hurdles: 19.80 (0.9) (319pts); Shot Put: 7.14m (344pts); High Jump: 1.38m (491pts); 200m: 31.22 (1.6) (400pts); Javelin: 16.87m (231pts);
Male Open
Decathlon: Ash Almond 3659pts: Long Jump: 4.74m (2.2) (333pts); High Jump: 1.54m (419pts); Javelin: 49.66m (584pts); 400m: 62.81 (323pts); 1500m: 5:24.32 (428pts); 110m Hurdles: 23.61 (3.1) (120pts); Shot Put: 9.09m (431pts); Discus: 27.57m (417pts); 100m: 13.16 (0.4) (441pts); Pole Vault: 2.12m (163pts)
Some of our sprint team were in action at Lakeside at round 2 of the High Velocity Club (HVC) series. Results are:
200m Ashleigh Rooke 27.29 (0.6); Taryn Bourke 30.00 (-0.7);
400m: Ashleigh Rooke 68.18; Liam Russell 54.23
Geelong hosted the Surf Coast Track Meet with 5000m and 10000m events held. Seamus Dwyer showed a return to form running the 5000 in 16.30.68 while Matt Morrison continued is return to racing with a solid 10,000m track race, running 40.09.9
Our little athletics competition resumes this coming weekend with action starting from 8.30am. We look forward to seeing all the smiling faces back at the track ready to chase some more PB’s.
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!
