Juniors set for national stage

TWO young athletes from the region have been selected for the Track and Field State Team as part of the School Sport Australia Championship set for Darwin in September.

The qualifiers are nine-year-old Jud Buckland from Pleasant Street Primary and Armani Anderson from Buninyong Primary School.

“I am so excited to make the Victorian team,” Jud said. “We travel together to Darwin wearing the Vic uniform and have an opening and closing ceremony.”

A middle-distance runner, Jud said his pet event was the 800m and that there were many elements of athletics that he enjoyed.

“I love the challenge of competing and striving to do my best and I like making new friends from other areas,” he said.

A top-class sprinter for her age, Armani was elated following her qualification for the national school’s event, soothing she’s achieved before.

“When I found out I was selected for Team VIC I was so excited and felt proud,” she said.

“I can’t wait to represent Victoria again this year because I have trained hard and improved since competing last year.”

Like Jud, Armani said there were a many great things about competing on a grad stage.

“I love athletics because you get to make so many new friendships,” she said. “I’m really looking forward to the 100m sprint because that’s my favourite event.”

Competitors from the School Sport Victoria team have gone onto compete at national and international competitions including Olympic and Commonwealth games and world championships.