Collingwood Little Athletic Centre

Collingwood athletes had a huge weekend at the Regional Track and Field Championships at Knox last weekend. There were truckloads of personal bests and a very large medal haul. The medal count was: 5 gold, 11 silver and 12 bronze.

It was a very friendly and fun competition, and all our athletes did themselves proud with great performances and great sportsmanship. At least eight of our athletes have automatically qualified to compete in the State Championships in Bendigo in a month's time, and many more are likely to gain progression through to state due to the high standard of their results.

Full results are available here. State progressions should be available on the VLAA website as of Friday 22 nd

Some highlights of the weekend included Sean O'Neill 's winning jump of 1.60m in the U13 boys high jump, which broke his previous club record. Sean also ran a gutsy 400m to take the silver, and won bronze in the javelin. Miles Leyden broke the club record for U10 Boys in his Silver medal winning 400m run, and Rebekah Corney achieved a jumps double winning the gold in both the U11 Girls Long and Triple Jumps.

Amy Hogan won bronze in the U11 Girls Long jump, and reached the final of the 60m hurdles . Rachel King won silver in the Triple Jump and ran a gutsy races in both the 800m and 1500m (bronze) – as did fellow U11 girl Tess Martin. Keely Bradley ran well in both the U11 Girls 70m and 100m, not allowing a troublesome knee to stop her from taking to the track. Hilary McAdam also showed her guts and determination to finish third in the U11 Girls 800m, and make it to the final of the 400m. Zoe McWhinney won gold in the U13 Girls long jump, and silver in the triple jump and high jump. Lucy Dodd won gold in the U11 girls shot put and silver in the High Jump. Charlie Cromb won three silvers in the U12 boys javelin, high jump and 60m hurdles. Triple jumping brothers Aidan and Declan Lambert won bronze medals in the U12 and U10 events respectively . David Worthington won bronze in the U13 boys triple jump, and silver in the 100m.

Max Maynard threw well to come fourth in the U11 boys javelin, with Adam Garganis and Jack Neale taking out fifth and sixth. Max also competed well in the long jump, high jump and 60m hurdles. Elinor Mills ran a great 100m heat (twice!) after the timing gates failed the first time around. Elinor also made the final of the U12 girls 70m and came fourth in the high jump and Tae Louey posted good performances in the U10 Boys 200m, 400m and long jump. Micah Worthington performed well in the U11 boys long jump and 100m, as did Sophie Miller in the U11 girls 100m, 200m 60m hurdles and 80m hurdles.

Fraser Maynard, Adam Garganis, Jessica Neale and Anthony Neale kept the Collingwood walkers' flag flying. Adam was particularly impressive, holding off late challengers to walk away with silver in the U11 Boys 1500m walk.

Our first time regional competitors also had a great weekend. Lauren Wright earned a bronze in both the U9G 80m hurdles and U9G Long Jump, she also came fourth in the 60m hurdles, and Peni Waqairatu won bronze in the U9 boys shot put. Alexandra Jones made it through to the final of both the U9 Girls 100m and 400m, as did William O'Neill Shaw in the U9 Boys 100m and 400m . Nikki O'Neill ran a gutsy 400m at the end of a long day, and also did well in the U9 girls 200m. Jason King had hardly a minute to rest as he ran the heat and final of the U9 Boys 800m as well as competing in the 200m, long jump and triple jump. Emily O'Connor also had a busy schedule, competing well in the U10Girls 60 hurdles, 80m hurdles, 70m and 100m. Her fellow U10 athlete Amelia Poetter took on a very big program, doing a great job in the 800m, 400m, 80m hurdles and triple jump . Jacob McCormack , who has just started athletics this year, reached the finals of the U13 boys 300m, 400m and 100m and came fourth in the javelin – a big achievement in a big program all on the one day! Lazare Courage , whose family is visiting Melbourne from France , found out just how hot the Australian sun can be when he competed well in a gruelling 1500m run in the heat of the day. Lazare also did well in the hurdles, long jump and shot put. Simone Karatsoglou competed very well in the U13 Girls 100m, 200m, shot put and 80 hurdles.

Finally, thanks so much to all the Collingwood parents and carers who cheerfully and willingly helped out with duties as required. Thanks also to Knox LAC for hosting the event so well, and to all the officials and helpers from other Centres in the region. Without so many great volunteers, none of this would be possible.

Heather Jarvis

Team Manager.