Hawks aim to stay top of perch in aths showdown

EAGLEHAWK will be striving to hold its crown as Athletics Victoria’s No.1 team at this weekend’s Quest Albury country field and track championships in Albury.

The Borough holds all three team trophies – Margaret Saunders Country Cup, overall; Ex-Athletes Cup, women’s; and David Kitt Memorial Trophy, men’s.

An incredible run by the Two Blues includes nine Country Cup wins in a row.

This year is the 81st running of the country titles at which athletes from metropolitan clubs can compete on an invitational basis.

The heat will be on across the three-day meet at the Les O’Brien athletics complex. The action starts at 9.30am on Saturday and at 7.30am on Sunday and Monday.

Although its squad numbers are not as high as previous years, Eaglehawk will take a power of catching.

The Two Blues are up against the likes of Geelong Guild, Wendouree, Athletics Chilwell, Ballarat Harriers and South Bendigo.

Versatility has been a major strength of the Hawks’ squad, which has had Terry Hicks as a coach and competitor for many years.

Key members of the Borough lineup include Cat Monahan, Poppy Robinson, Jorja Morrison, Lewis McIntosh, Craig and Olivia Graham, Cameron Greenwood, and David and Daniel Chisholm.

South Bendigo has the power of shot put stars Emma Berg and Connor Wilson. The Bloods also have Greg and Jake Hilson, Jasper Seymour, Jayne and Kai Norton, Luke Edgley, Keely Trew and Chelsea Tickell in their lineup.

Leading medal contenders from Bendigo Harriers include Anne Buckley, Jenna Gaskell, Rebecca Soulsby and Dylan Marron.

The Harriers will also have Geoff Jordan, Lachlan Carr, Caitlin Evans, and Monique and Jake Gavriliadis in action. Echuca Moama has performed strongly in its first AV Shield League season.

Athletes to watch from the border include Tahlia Blight, Harrison Sly, Scarlett Southern, Kate and Hannah Downward, Benji Carfoot and Phoenix Wise.