By Jamie Strudley
In the 10 years leading up to the 2023 Victorian Track and Field Championships, Yarra Ranges Athletics had never secured an Open Championship medal.
That all changed as club athletes earned not just one, but three, open age medals over the weekend as well as our Under 20 and Para athletes earning another four medals. To cap off one of the most successful weekends for our senior club ever, we had two fourth placings and no less than seven club records broken during the championships.
The weekend started on Friday evening with Mitch Mullens becoming the first Yarra Ranges athlete to make the second round of an Open 100m Championship. This was followed by Noah Wright comfortably qualifying for the Under 20 Men 400 Final. That set the scene for a super Saturday and sensational Sunday for the club.
The Saturday program started with the Open Men’s Javelin Final. A confident, but very nervous Ash Almond threw a wobbly 45.32m on his second throw that was good enough for third place and our club’s first Open Championship medal.
Just 90 minutes later and we had a second bronze medal as Hayley Wilkins threw a massive PB and new club Open record of 35.81m with her final throw in the Open Women’s Javelin final. Hayley’s result inspired training partner Ashleigh Rooke to a new PB in the U20 Women Discus, with Ash just missing a medal finishing fourth.
But there was more to come…
Moments later, Mitch Mullens flew down the Lakeside Stadium straight to record 11.32 seconds in the men’s 100m semi-final. While not enough to make the final, Mitch lowered his club Open Men’s 100m record for the fifth time this season. Mitch had only just removed his spikes when Noah Wright ripped around one lap of the 400m circuit in the final of the Under 20 Men’s 400m. Noah broke the club 400m record, running 50.21 seconds to miss a medal by just two 100ths of a second which is about the width of a finger, so close.
The day ended with Joseph Johnston storming to a new PB in the final of the Open Men Para 100m to finish in second place with 13.62 seconds and 76.87 per cent points. A fantastic result and a well deserved silver medal.
Day three of the championships quickly became sensational Sunday.
Mitch Mullens was on fire again, this time scorching to a new club record over 200m in 22.67 and qualifying for the semifinals later in the day. Sarah Ebbels, in the Under 20 Women’s Hammer Throw, had our first medal of the day winning a bronze after sending the 4kg weight out to 35.26m, to set a new club Under 20 record.
Shortly after Joseph Johnston was at it again, racing around the track in the Open Mens Para 200m to record 27.21 seconds and another silver medal to go with his 100m silver from Saturday.
Two hours later it was time for Rori Jones to take on a competitive Women’s Under 20 400m hurdles field. Rori maintained her composure over the closing stages to earn a fantastic bronze medal running 71.64 seconds
The icing on the cake came in the final event of the day, the Open Women’s 3000m Steeplechase. In a race rescheduled from 12.10pm to 4.10pm due to an injured athlete unable to be moved from the track, the club eagerly awaited the performance of Olivia Twining.
Olivia was more than up to the task storming to a convincing win and our club’s first Victorian Open Championship gold medal.
Full results:
Female 20
Ashleigh Rooke 200m 27.33 (0.5) (7th); Discus 31.59m (4th)
Mia Strudley 800m 2:31.90 (7th);
Rori Jones 400m Hurdles 71.64 (3rd);
Sarah Ebbels Hammer Throw 35.26m (3rd);
Male 20
400m: Noah Wright 400m Final 50.21 (4th); 50.93 (heat); 800 heat 2:01.22;
Female
Olivia Twining 3000m Steeple 11:08.15 (1st);
Hayley Wilkins Discus 27.07m (10th); Javelin 35.81m (3rd);
Meg Sparkes Discus 25.84m (12th);
Male
Mitchell Mullens 100m (SF) 11.32 (0.1); 11.50 (-0.4) (heat); 200m (SF) 23.04 (0.2); 22.67 (0.5) (heat);
Liam Russell 200m 25.34 (3.1) (heat); 400m: 57.12 (heat);
Ash Almond Javelin 45.32m (3rd);
Male AMB (Para)
Joseph Johnston 100m 13.62 (-0.1) (2nd); 200m 27.21 (5.1) (2nd);
Club athlete, Harry Norman was in action in Hobart on Sunday morning, as part of the men’s elite field for the Hobart Beat the Bridge 10km. Harry finished in a fantastic seventh place running 30.15 finishing ahead of Commonwealth Games’ marathon representative Liam Adams.
Our little athletics enjoyed the ideal weather conditions to continue posting PB performances in the track and field events. Many athletes were preparing for the Little Athletics Victoria State Track & Field Championships. The club is sending our biggest team to this weekend’s championships at Lakeside Stadium, good luck to all the athletes, parents, helpers and team managers.
This week’s Little Athletics competition will be a twilight competition on Friday evening due to the championships and long weekend. Action commences at 5.30pm with our famous twilight burgers available from the canteen all evening.
Training continues for all club members on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 5.30pm. Yarra Ranges Athletics welcomes and encourages all athletes of any age or ability.
If you, or someone you know, wants to join in the Little Athletics fun, registration is at lavic.com.au. For information on training, how to join or trial, photos, results and updated news, visit the website at yarrarangesathletics.org.au or check us out on Facebook. Run, Jump, Throw…too easy!
