Bacchus Marsh Little Athletics

Week 12 of Cross Country competition was conducted at Rupert Moon Reserve, Bacchus Marsh.

After tough conditions at Bostock Reservoir last week, athletes appreciated the flat, fast course set along the Lerderderg River and amongst the Avenue of Honour market gardens.

The Open Age athletes were first to compete this week, racing over a 3km distance. Athletes headed out along the gravel walking path for 1500m to the turnaround point and before heading back towards the finish line. Under 14 athlete Jujhar Tamber from Melton was declared the overall winner. Lachlan Simons (BM) claimed the win for the Under 13s and Braydn Rich (BM) for the Under 17s. Lily Norman (BM) and Mia Preddy (Melt) were confirmed winners for the Under 13 & 14 age groups respectively.

Melton’s Ella Preddy was declared the overall winner in the combined Under 11/12 2km event but was pushed right to the finish line by Zeke Horne (BM), who was rewarded with a PB time whilst also claiming maximum points for the Under 11 boys. Chord Wilson (Melt) recorded a 17 second PB after a well-executed run.

In the 1.5km event Bacchus Marsh athletes Auden Sundqvist and Lyla Clark were acknowledged as the Under 9 winners while team-mates Anni Clarke and Joshua Askew continue their dominance in the Under 10 competition. Melton athletes Octavius Pirangi, Sofia Anikeev, Mahena Pirangi and Bacchus Marsh’s Harry Johansen all recorded their fastest times this season.

Twenty-five athletes toed the start line in the Under 7 & 8 1km event. After a fast start, it was Melton’s Fletcher Reid who led the field out through the market gardens. Being pushed by team-mate Chayse Johnson, Fletcher was able to maintain the lead and cross the finish line in 1st place. Chayse was 2nd overall but 1st Under 7 athlete home. For the girls, Mckinley Wilson (Melt) was the Under 7 winner while Rylee Robinson (BM) was the first home for the Under 8s.

The highlight for the morning was the Under 6 500m race, with 7 athletes recording PBs. A great tussle by the top 5 athletes – Jude Brody-Wall (BM), Sahib Cameron (BM), Zyah Cameron (Melt), Kai Mills (BM) and Olivia Anikeev (Melt), all recording season best results. Meanwhile, Cory Lewis (Melt) and Scarlett Tatchell (BM) were also rewarded for their great effort with a PB result.

This week – The venue is Lake Dewar, Myrniong. This will be a good opportunity for our intermediate and senior athletes to have a run at the same venue as this year’s scheduled State Championships.