Bacchus Marsh Little Athletics

This week’s Centre Cross Country competition was held on Saturday morning at Bostock Reservoir, Ballan. Due to the strong winds and extreme weather conditions, new courses were set out around the north end of the reservoir having all athletes run amongst the protection of the pine plantations.

The Under 6 athletes were first up this week competing over their standard 500m distance. Top 3 placegetters for the boys were Jude Brody-Wall (BM), Jack Ainsworth (BM) and Ryder Reid (Mel) and for the girls, Zyah Cameron (Mel) returned to the winners list, with teammates Olivia Anikeev and Cory Lewis in 2nd and 3rd place, respectively.

In the combined Under 7 & 8 1km event Fletcher Reid (Melt) and Rylee Robinson (BM) claimed the wins for the Under 8 age groups while Chayse Johnson (Melt) and Arijana Brown (BM) were declared winners for the Under 7’s.

The Under 9 & 10 athletes contested one lap of the 1k course, finishing with a 500m loop. Little separated the top 4 runners, and it was Under 10 athlete Joshua Askew (BM) who claimed line honors. Anni Clarke (BM) remains undefeated for the Under 10 girls. Bacchus Marsh athletes Auden Sundqvist and Emilia Ibrahim recorded wins for the Under 9 age groups.

Under 11 athletes Iyla Robinson and Logan Simons had a great battle out front in the Under 11/12 combined 2km event. In a sprint finish it was Iyla that claimed line honors. Melton’s Ella Preddy also continues her dominance in the Under 12 age group taking the win, while Elijah Sundqvist claimed maximum points for the boys.

The Open age athletes completed 3 laps of a 1k course with several fallen trees amongst the pines adding to the challenges of this week’s competition. While Nicholas Ibrahim (BM) was first home for the Under 14 boys, Mia Preddy (Melt) placed 1st for the girls. Lachlan Simons (BM) was the Under 13 winner while Mackenzie Estlick finished her race off in style to claim the win for the Girls Under 15 age group.

All athletes must be congratulated on braving the elements on Saturday morning and big thank you to all those who assisted in ensuring our athletes safely completed their events this week. Thank you to our BBQ Chefs, Brenda & Brian who had a yummy hot sausage ready after your races. Please keep supporting this Centre fundraising event.

Next Saturday we return to Rupert Vance Moon Reserve, Bacchus Marsh and I am sure we will be greeted with better conditions at this venue.

An email has been sent to all families with an end of season award qualifications report. If you are yet to qualify, please ensure you attend the remaining events to receive a Cross Country trophy on Presentation Day.