By Jamie Strudley
The heavens opened on Saturday 20 October but it didn’t stop the athletes from Yarra Ranges Athletics from gathering at Morrison Reserve for round three of summer track and field.
A modified program of events enabled a mix of ages and genders to have a unique and fun morning of competition.
Sprint events were first up for the youngest age groups, completing both 100m and 70m events in quick succession.
While the track was wet, the lack of wind allowed some excellent races to be run.
A big group gathered for long jump and the Yarra Ranges coaches didn’t miss the chance to include some skills development drills, a great distraction from the rain.
Not content with those events, many athletes elected to run in either the 800m, or joined a team mate to run the Parlauf Relay.
The club committee and athletes are incredibly grateful to the volunteers and parent helpers who rose to the challenge of organising a wet weather day to not only allow competition to continue, but to provide fantastic fun and great memories for all involved.
The club’s seniors travelled to Casey Fields and Williamstown tracks for the alternate AV Shield competitions.
Some excellent results in from all athletes helped to secure team wins to the Open Men and Under-18 men’s teams.
The Yarra Ranges Open Women, Under-18 and Under-14 women’s teams secured third placings in the third of 12 rounds.
During the week, several club athletes represented their schools at the Eastern Metro Region Track and Field Championships.
The stand-out performances came from Amy Pearce winning the 12 to 13-year girls’ high jump with a new personal best, Tiara Willis winning the 11-year girls’ 80m hurdles in 13.41 seconds, and Zoe Clarke, claiming the bronze medal in the 9 to 10-year girls’ 1500m, also with a personal best time of 5 minutes 49 seconds.
Congratulations go to all those that qualified to compete and performed with excellence on the day.
It’s not too late to get involved in either Little Athletics or the senior competition with Athsvic.
Any interested athletes can contact the club on join@yarrarangesathletics.org.au.
