Heat’s on in field and track contests

THE heat will be high as Athletics Bendigo Region clubs contest Saturday’s second round of Athletics Victoria Shield League track and field action in Flora Hill.

First events on the Retreat Road complex start at 1.30pm and will involve competitors from a wide spectrum of abilities and ages.

Age ranges in round one went from 11-years to Frank Barr at 93-years-young putting the shot.

Track action on Saturday begins with distance hurdles and followed by the 1500 or 3000-metre walk.

For the sprinters there will be the 100 and 200-metre duels and a 4×100-metre relay.

Other running distances on the program are 800 and 3000 meters.

Flights of discus, hammer throw, high jump and long jump will be on throughout the afternoon.

Eaglehawk and South Bendigo made strong starts to a new season.

Third in the race for the premier division crown in 2022-23, Eaglehawk was second in the opening round of this season.

Among the stars for the Two Blues are Daniel and Dave Chisholm, Olivia Graham, Taine Bishop, Jorja Morrison, Cooper Richardson, Andrea Archibald, Terry Hicks, Jessica Grigson, Tim Sullivan and Catherine Monahan.

South Bendigo leads division two going into round two.

A powerful squad for the Bloods includes field stars Emma Berg and Kai Norton, sprint ace Oliver Muggleton, jumps specialist Rhys Hansen, distance runner Taryn Furletti, and the multi-talented Carol Coad, Greg Hilson and Joan Self.

Bendigo Harriers will be determined to rise up the rankings this round.

Under the competition format it’s the three highest scores from an athlete’s events which are added to the teams tally.

The versatility of Harriers’ members such as Peter Clarke, Geoff Jordan, Lachlan Carr, Jake Gavriliadis, Neil Shaw, and Caitlin, Eliza and Josh Evans is a huge plus.

Harriers also have long-time distance runner Anne Buckley in fine form.

Although it fielded a small team on day one, Bendigo University performed well to be fifth in division five.

University Pride had Abbey Reid, David Cripps and Ross Douglas compete on Saturday, while Mitch Whitham ran on invitational basis and is likely to be with Uni’s squad this round.