Bacchus Marsh Little Athletics

The final Cross Country meet for the season was held last Saturday morning at Masons Lane Reserve. All athletes and supporters dressed up in blue to recognise the charity Fight Parkinson’s, in support of BMLAC Distinguished Service member Trevor Lyne, who is battling Parkinson Disease. The Centre also collected donations, raising $1272 for Fight Parkinson’s (formally Parkinson’s Victoria).

All races were conducted under a handicap format, calculated on each athlete’s average performance for the season.

The Open age athletes were first to compete, racing 3 laps of a 1km course. Sam White claimed line honours and recorded the fastest time for the day, running 3kms in 11:33.72 mins. Lily Norman was 2nd placed in the handicap with Lachlan Simons 3rd across the finish line.

The Under 6s were next to race over 500 metres. Scarlett Tatchell claimed line honours while a fast-finishing Jude Brody-Wall, who started off scratch was second runner home and also recorded the fastest time. Front marker, Jaz Ferreira ran a fantastic race finishing in 3rd place.

The Under 7 & 8 athletes competed over a 1km distance. Handicap top 3 places went to Victoria Hannam, Gisborne’s Olivia Callister and Elouise Evans. Melton’s Chayse Johnson recorded the fastest time of 4:05.69 mins.

In the Under 9/10 1.5km handicap event Gisborne’s Kiara Callister was a clear winner. Front marker Sampath Dwarampudi held on for 2nd place with Melton’s Mahena Pirangi claiming 3rd place. Joshua Askew recorded the fastest time of 5:39.50 mins.

Melton’s Mitchell Elmer claimed line honors in the Under 11/12 2km handicap race while back marker Mathilde Grant held on for 2nd place with Chord Wilson (Melt) running a great race to take 3rd place. Ella Preddy (Melt) ran another fantastic race to claim the fastest time.

At the conclusion of all races, athletes, friends and family came together for the end of season Cross Country presentations.

Junior Champions
Fletcher Reid and Zyah Cameron.

Intermediate Champions
Joshua Askew and Anni Clarke

Senior Champions
Lachlan Simons and Mia Preddy.

Encouragement awards
Archie Clarke & Victoria Hannam (Junior), Sampath Dwarampudi & Mathilde Grant (Intermediate) and Braydn Rich & Lily Norman (Senior).

Bronze Shields – completing 25 Centre runs
Victoria Hannam, Bowie Clarke, Hayden Tung, Rylee Robinson, Tait Ash, Archie Clarke, Fletcher Reid, Harry Wark, Anni Clarke, Scarlett Wake, Logan Simons, Mathilde Grant, Lily Norman, Lachlan Simons.

Platinum Shield
Bradyn Rich finished off his little aths career being awarded a Platinum Shield for 100 Centre runs.

The new 2023/24 BMLAC Track & Field season kicks off on Saturday 7th October.

This Saturday, 17 BMLAC athletes will represent the Centre at the State Cross Country Championships at Lake Dewar, Myrniong.