Runner makes national event

By Lachlan Ellis

A local athlete has qualified for a national event, thanks to a stellar performance in a state tournament’s 100 metre race.

Mackenzie Estlick from Bacchus Marsh Little Athletics came second in the 100-metre final at this month’s Victorian All Schools Track & Field Championships, meaning she progresses to December’s Australian All Schools Athletics Championships in Perth.

Held over the weekends of Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 October, and Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 November, the competition saw Ms Estlick continually improve and beat her personal best for 100 metres, finishing in 12.73 seconds in the heat (3rd place), 12.62 seconds in the semi final (2nd place), and 12.46 seconds in the final (2nd place).

She has also qualified for the 200 metres, and will be representing her school, Bacchus Marsh Grammar, at the Perth tournament, which runs from 8 – 10 December.
Ms Estlick said it was fantastic to have a chance to compete on the national stage.

“I’m super excited because I’ll be competing against the best of the best and possible future Olympians. I’m also excited to be travelling to Perth because I’ve never been there before,” she told the Moorabool News.

“The last Nationals I went to at the beginning of the year were in Melbourne, so I didn’t get to travel then.”

The next step following the Perth event will be the 2024 Australian Track & Field Championships in Adelaide, and one day, hopefully the World Athletics Under 20 Championships.

The sky’s the limit for Ms Estlick, who said her long-term dream would be competing at the Commonwealth Games and Olympics – though that would take some extra support from sponsors.

Her mum Chantelle said that some coaches from Ballarat had watched her compete and “couldn’t believe she’s not coached”.

Ms Estlick will be training with them twice a week in the lead-up to the Nationals and beyond.