Athletes perform well at region champs

THE Little Athletics Western Country Region Track and Field Championships were held across two days in Ballarat last weekend.

By Support Team

Lila Bennett flies through the air on her way to a personal best effort in triple jump where she placed third.

THE Little Athletics Western Country Region Track and Field Championships were held across two days in Ballarat last weekend.

A total of 18 athletes from the Camperdown Little Athletics Centre were in attendance, returning with 37 medals comprising 11 gold, 14 silver and 12 bronze.

Importantly, 17 of these athletes achieved personal best results in at least one event, with a total of 38 PBs recorded over the weekend.

Event winners automatically qualified for the state championships to be held in Melbourne next month with eight Camperdown members locking themselves in.

Camperdown Little Athletics Centre secretary Kathy Hallyburton said the weekend proved to be a successful one for local competitors.

“This is a fantastic result for the club and is the largest number of athletes that have qualified for states for several years,” she said.

“The club is very proud of its athletes not only for the great results, but also for the manner in which they competed and supported each other.”

Those to qualify directly into the state championships are Dermot Conheady (1100m walk), Charlie Leishman (400m), Emily Darcy (long jump), Milla Darcy (200m), Ruby Darcy (high jump, triple jump), Nellie Sadler (1500m walk, shot put), Elsie Sinnott (long jump, triple jump) and Ruby Conheady (90m hurdles).

Further athletes may yet qualify based on results from around the state which will be determined early next week.