Bacchus Marsh Little Athletics

ON Saturday morning athletes travelled to Bullengarook Recreation Reserve for week 3 of the BMLAC Cross Country season.

Attendance numbers continue to grow and this week the Centre welcomed back past cross country athletes, while a number of athletes are still taking up the free two-week trial offer. Trial athletes are thoroughly enjoying the competition, with most signing up after their first trial.

This week, races commenced with the Under 9 & 10 athletes competing over a 1500m course. Races started on the reserve oval prior to heading out through the bushland, as athletes tackled small obstacles throughout the course.

Hunter Robinson and Rylee Robinson were declared the Under 9 winners while Harry Johansen and Emilia Ibrahim continued their winning streak for Bacchus Marsh.

Although a tough course, athletes continue to improve on their endurance, and this week the following athletes recorded PB’s over the 1500m distance: Harry Johansen, Hunter Robinson, Emilia Ibraham, George Jacobson, Rylee Robinson, Lachlan Simcocks, Tara Singh, Gigi Baniluk and Emmy Foley.

The Under 6 athletes were next to run, covering a 500m distance. Ariyah Jreige claimed the official win for the Centre running a PB of 2:40.46 mins.

Georgia Le Feurire also recorded a PB time. The Under 6s continue to improve as they chase down athletes from the Melton City Centre.

The Open age athletes completed two laps of the 1.5k course. This week we welcomed the return of Centre Captain, Sam White to competition.

Sam ran a conservative first lap of the course but pushed the pace over the second lap to overtake a number of runners, and claim overall victory for the Open age event.

Nicholas Ibrahim continues to close the gap on the leaders and this week was rewarded for his effort with a PB. Elise Holland ran a superb race, taking an amazing over 1 ½ minutes off his previous time.

The Under 11 & 12 athletes competed over 2km. Joshua Askew recorded a win for the Under 11 boys while Zeke Horne, running a PB, was declared the Under 12 boys winner.

Well done to Kyra Booth, whose determination this week saw her rewarded with a PB result.

The final race of the day was yet again our biggest, with 37 athletes contesting the Under 7/8 1km event. These athletes really push each other over the distance and make for a better competition.

Jordy Fenwick has found his niche in distance running and this week recorded a comfortable victory crossing the finish in a PB time of 4.14.70 mins.

Hayden Tung is another much improved athlete, always giving a 100% effort, and was also rewarded with a PB.

Great to see Brodie Jriege back to his best and this week was another PB recipient, as was Millicent Johansen, Olive Blokland, Amira Rickerby, Marli Major, Meeka Booth, Eykas Khaira and Paige Foley.

The Little Athletics Victoria State Cross Country Relays are to be held on Saturday 8th June at Cruden Farm, Langwarrin.

BMLAC have entered the following teams:

Under 9 – Hunter Robinson, Atlas Ferreira, George Jacobson

Under 10 – Emilia Ibrahim, Evelyn Grant, Nyah Halfhide

Under 11 – Mitchell Tung, Joshua Askew, Liam Way

Under 9 Region – Darcy Tschujasehenko (Melton City), Fatehvir Singh (Melton City) Kobi Hehir (Bacchus Marsh)

Under 10 Region – Harry Johansen (Bacchus Marsh), Harry Wark (Melton City), Octavius Paringi (Melton City)

Under 15 Region – Nicholas Ibrahim (Bacchus Marsh), Jujhar Singh Tamber (Melton City), Caleb Hurst (Bacchus Marsh)

Saturday’s Cross Country meet will be held at Lady Northcote Camp, Glenmore.