Bracing final comp and presentations for BMLAC

Winners' spoils: Bringing home the champions' trophies following Saturday's BMLAC cross-country presentations were intermediate Emilia Ibrahim, junior Lenni-Rose Missen, seniors Iyla Robinson and Thomas Ibrahim, junior Ezra Spielvogel, and intermediate Joshua Askew. Photos: SUPPLIED
BRISK conditions did not prevent impressive performances and exciting finishes as Bacchus Marsh Little Athletics Centre (BMLAC) held its final cross-country competition for the season last Saturday 16 August.
In fact many of the runners who covered distances ranging from 500 to 3000 metres, depending on their age group, seemed to relish the chill conditions as they tackled their distance at the Masons Lane Reserve in Bacchus Marsh.
Saturday’s last meet for the season was run under a handicap system, creating exciting finishes across many age groups with athletes striving for line honours and many races decided in close contests.
Following the final events, athletes, families and friends gathered to celebrate what had been an outstanding season which saw record athlete numbers and the successful return of the centre’s Open Day, pointing to the growing strength of the cross-country program.
The young athletes who participated on the day also enjoyed embracing the theme of dress as your sporting hero, with some using it as chance to pay homage to other admired BMLAC runners.
When it came time for presentations, those going up to collect the champions’ trophies were junior champions Ezra Speilvogel and Lenni-Rose Missen, intermediate champions Joshua Askew and Emilia Ibrahim, and senior champions Thomas Ibrahim and Iyla Robertson.

Encouragement awards went to juniors Avery Robinson and Charlie Coon, intermediates Oliver Coon and Alice Clarke, and seniors Jye Altay and Mathilde Grant.
Special congratulations also went to Paige Foley, Millicent Johansen, Scarlett Tatchell, Jack Ainsworth, Jaz Ferreira, Olive Blokland, Madeleine Dragic, Angus Jacobsen, Atlas Ferreira, George Jacobsen, Sam Ainsworth, Thomas Ibrahim and Nicholas Ibrahim, who completed 25 centre runs during the season.
Top results on Saturday
500m – Line Honours: Alya Senyuvali, Fastest: Lukas Willoughby.
1000m – Line Honours: Emma Clarke, Fastest: Brodie Jreige.
1500m – Line Honours: Victoria Hannam, Fastest: Chayse Johnson.
2000m – Line Honours: Thomas Matheson-Rivett, Fastest: Joshua Askew.
3000m – Line Honours: Tahlia Hunter, Fastest: Nicholas Ibrahim.
The excellent turn-out and times recorded followed another notable result for BMLAC the previous week at the state cross-country championships.
“We had the State Cross Country Championships at Lake Dewar the week before and we had one of our boys win a state medal,” BMLAC committee member Linda Thompson said.
“There were over 800 children from across the state who competed in those championships.
“We hosted it and we had 22 of our kids compete. We had Caleb Hurst win a state silver medal for the boys under-16 3km.”