Athletes to display diverse talent

ATHLETICS Bendigo Region will be well represented across many disciplines in this weekend’s finale to Athletics Victoria’s All-Schools track and field championships in Melbourne.

Hundreds of athletes will converge on South Melbourne’s Lakeside Stadium, and among the leading contenders for medals will be Waaia’s Rhys Hansen in the under-15 pole vault.

A member of South Bendigo Athletics Club, Hansen soared 3.25 metres to win the under-15 final at this year’s national titles in Sydney.

The talented athlete studies at Nathalia Secondary College and is coached by Athletics Bendigo identity Peter Barrett.

A gold medallist in the under-15 hammer at this year’s state titles, Hailey Stubbs will represent Sacred Heart College Kyneton in this weekend’s action.

A strong competitor in all field events, Stubbs is a member of Bendigo Harriers.

Three sets of siblings from Bendigo will compete across the weekend.

From the White Hills-based Weeroona College, Jemma and Kai Norton will compete in the under-17 and under-14 finals respectively.

The under-17 hammer field includes Jemma Norton, while Kai Norton will be in the under-14 javelin and hammer.

On the track, Chelsea and Logan Tickell will represent Bendigo South East. A dual gold medallist at this year’s state titles, Chelsea will run in the under-18 800 metres, and Logan in the under-17 800 and 3000 metres

The 3000-metre races include Ebony Woodward in the under-15s and older brother, Mason in the under-17s.

The BSE Dragons squad going to Lakeside includes Avery McDermid, under-15 3000 metres, and Jayden Padgham, under-18 3000 metres.

The national under-18 six-kilometre cross-country champion, and September winner in Bendigo’s Sports Star of the Year award, Harrison Boyd will race in the under-18 800 metres.

A member of Bendigo Harriers, Boyd is in year 11 at Bendigo Senior Secondary College.

The BSSC Lions will also be represented by Phoebe Lonsdale in the under-18 3000 metres. Caitlin Evans and Genevive Nihill from Catherine McAuley College will also be on the track.

Evans in the under-18 400m hurdles, and Nihill in the under-16 800 and 3000 metres.

Also heading to Lakeside are Eaglehawk AC’s Scarlett Southern, under-16 200 and 800 metres, and University Pride’s Angus Macafee for the under-18 3000 metres.