Bacchus Marsh Little Athletics

The Western Metro Region Cross Country Carnival was held last Saturday at Bacchus Marsh Grammar School, Staughton Vale campus. The Carnival was the qualifying event for the State Cross Country Championships to be held on August 12.

Bacchus Marsh Centre was represented by 18 athletes.

The Open Age athletes were the first scheduled event for the Carnival with all Under 13-17 boys competing in the same 3km race, which consisted of two 1.5km loops. Our Centre Captain, Sam White led by example and encouraged our Under 13 boys Lachlan Simons and Patrick Lovett around the course. Sam was awarded the Gold medal for the Under 16 age group whilst Lachlan placed 8th and Patrick 9th.

The Under 9 athletes, competing in the first Region Cross Country Carnival, were a little nervous in the call room but once on the start line were focused on the event ahead. New athlete Lyla Clark ran a sensational race, sitting with the leading pack early in the race before the field began to string out as they headed down past the orchard. As the runners returned from the 500m loop of the course, Lyla was sitting comfortably in second place, a position she was able to maintain until the finish line. Well done, Lyla. Emilia Ibrahim ran a consistent race to place 7th while Evelyn Grant dug deep in the closing stages for the team finishing 13th. All the girls were rewarded for their great running, winning a Bronze team medal. In the boys race Auden Sundqvist was the first Bacchus Marsh athlete home, crossing the finish line in 4th place with Harry Johansen running a consistent race finishing in 12th place.

The Under 10 girls were next to compete and Anni Clark was our sole representative in the girls event. A fast start to the race saw Anni sit back in the leading pack before clawing her way to the front to run neck and neck with her opponent from Williamstown. A sprint finish saw Anni claim line honors and was awarded the Region Under 10 Gold medal. In the boy’s event, Joshua Askew, Angus Norman, Mitchell Tung, Liam Way and Miller Clark competed, with all running extremely well. Josh finished 10th, Angus 18th, Mitchell 19th, Liam 20th and Miller in 24th place.

In the Under 11 girls 2km event, Iyla Robinson ran a smart race, using the downhill stretches through the orchards to her advantage and managed to open up the gap on the field in the second half of the race. Iyla was awarded for her exceptional running and was declared the Under 11 Region Champion. Logan Simons and Zeke Horne lined up in the Boys Under 11 2km event. Both boys ran consistent races with Logan placing 11th and Zeke 12th.

In the final race for the day Zara Slater competed in the Under 12 2km event. This was Zara’s first Cross Country race representing the Centre and should be commended on a very determined performance. Zara finished in 10th place overall.

All athletes have now qualified for the State Championships to be held on Saturday 12th August at Lake Dewar, Myrniong.

This Saturday Cross Country athletes will be participating in their final home run at Masons Lane Reserve from 10.30am. All athletes and supporters will dress up in blue to recognise and support the charity ‘Fight Parkinson’.

Races will be conducted on a handicap system, using the athletes average times from the season. After all races have been completed the end of season Cross Country awards will be presented.