Big throw: Connor Wilson took out the under-15 male shot put with a distance of 17.11m. Photos: Little Athletics Victoria
It’s been a busy couple of weeks for Echuca Moama Athletics, with an AGM, presentation night, charity event and the Little Athletics State Championships all taking place in March.
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The state championships, held in Knoxfield, saw a number of good results for the club, including Connor Wilson taking out the under-15 male shot put with a throw of 17.11m and placing second in javelin.
Isabelle Barnett also logged a great performance as the multi-class athlete was first in discus and second in shot put in the female P1112 class.
Under-15 competitor Harry Sly placed fourth in the 100m hurdles, seventh in triple-jump, 11th in long jump and 14th in the 800m at the event.
Under-9 Jewel Walker qualified for her first state championships and competed in the 800m, where she placed ninth, and in the 400m, where she was 15th.
“It doesn’t matter how many, if we’ve got kids going to state and doing PBs and managing to get a podium finish then that’s an awesome result for us,” said club vice-president and former president Leah Smith.
On top: Isabelle Barnett won the female P1112 discus at the Little Athletics State Championships.
The club also held its AGM and presentation night recently with major award winners and age champions recognised for their achievements throughout the year.
Harry Sly was awarded Athlete of the Year for his performance at the state championships and over the season as a whole.
“(The state championships) was a really good result for him, he’s only sort of started athletics over the last couple of years,” said Smith.
“(Athlete of the Year) is fantastic and well deserved for all his hard work and effort over the last couple of years and his improvement and training.”
Versatile: Harry Sly was awarded Moama Bowling Club Athlete of the Year for his strong performance in a variety of disciplines throughout the season. Photo: Erin Blachford Photography/Echuca Moama Athletics
On March 3, Echuca Moama Athletics held a 12-hour relay-a-thon fundraiser, raising $3833 to support the club going into next season.
The event involved club athletes across all age groups running the baton around the track for 12 hours , from 8am to 8pm.
“It was wonderful to see because we had parents, committee members and all sorts of people who were there joining in and doing a lap,” said Smith.
“It was something different but really good and we’ve got nearly $4000 in our bank to spend on our athletes again.”
Also notable is that the club is no longer ‘Little Athletics’ and is now simply Echuca Moama Athletics, having introducing an adults competition this season.
“Seniors come down and have a run and a jump and a throw, so that’s exciting and progressive; we only got that sorted this season,” said Smith.
“We’ve had about six athletes senior athletes come down so we’re hoping to grow that next year as well.”
The AGM saw a reshuffle of the committee, with Smith stepping out of the president’s role and into vice-president, swapping with Kate Downward, who will now take the presidency.
Smith believes the club is in good hands for the future.
“I've been on the committee in some way or form for six years,” she said.
“So it's nice to see some new faces and we've got some new faces coming on in the general committee, so that's exciting.
“As our kids get older and sort of start to phase out, it's nice to see the younger kids parents put their hand up and help keep it going.”
The club has wrapped up its track and field athletics program and will be moving into cross country over the winter sports season.
Echuca Moama Athletics Major Award Winners
Moama Bowling Club Athlete of the Year: Harry Sly
Junior Club Champion: Cleo Haw
Senior Club Champion: Remi Baulch
Riverine Herald Club Spirit Award: Chase Kruger
Volunteer of the Season Award: Ruth Membrey and Ashton Haw
Encouragement Award: Luke Murrells
Echuca Moama Athletics Age Champions
Under-7
Male: Benji Baines
Female: Amaylia Coburn and Arlie Pell
Under-8
Male: Maxwell Muhlebach
Female: Georgia Irwin
Under-9
Male: Finn Malone
Female: Scarlett Scambler
Under-10
Male: River Priest
Female: Savannah Dicker
Under-11
Male: Jonty Carfoot
Female: Cleo Haw
Under-12
Male: Thomas Gretgrix
Female: Harper Maddison
Under-13
Male: Beau Griffiths
Female: Quinn Downward
Under 14
Female: Harmony Caspar
Under 15
Male: Harry Sly
Under 16
Female: Remi Baulch
Under 17
Female: Shaleah Cooper
Echuca Moama Personal Best Champions
Under-7
Male: Charlie Garbers
Female: Annabelle Knox
Under-8
Male: Arli Priest
Female: Holly Bouke and Charlie McLeod
Under-9
Male: Callum Smith and Finn Malone
Female: Lylah Weekley
Under-10
Male: River Priest
Female: Savannah Dicker
Under-11
Male: Luca Griffiths
Female: Cleo Haw
Under-12
Male: Nate Murrells
Female: Summer Scambler, Harper Maddison, and Vihara Konara Mudiyanselage
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