Ararat Little Athletics representatives from back, Carly Keith, Stacey Smithwick, Mackenzie Thompson, Melissa Perry. Middle, Fynlee, Cameron, Scarlett, Katelyn, Liam, Walter. Front, Chelsea, Jackson, Bailey, Keelan, Ryan, Noah, Holly and Thomas. Picture: PETER PICKERING.
ARARAT - Late last month seventeen representatives from the Ararat Little Athletics Club travelled down to Warrnambool for the Western Country Region track and field championships.
The event was held at Brauerander Park, an athletic complex that is part of Brauer College, which features a synthetic running track and proper discus cages - Something a lot of the Ararat athletes weren't use to.
Over the two days the local competitors returned a huge haul of placings which included five firsts, 12 seconds and 10 thirds.
Ararat Little Athletics' president Stacy Smithwick said most of the kids that participated were first time competitors at a regional level, which made it an exceptional effort in unfamiliar conditions.
"Out of the results we have five of our athletes going to the state championships in Bendigo on March 23 and 24," she said.
"They are Scarlett Burmeister for triple jump, Racquel Scott for high jump, Walter Pope for shot put, Liam Davey for 400 metres and Mackenzie Thompson for shot put and discus."
Results
Girls, Under-7
Bella Bartlett - 3rd (70m), 4th (100m), eq 3rd (long jump); Chelsea Bond - 11th (70m), 5th (long jump), 6th (shot put), 3rd (discus); Bailey Moorfoot - 9th (70m), 4th (100m), 8th (long jump), shot put (1st).
Under-8
Holly McAide - 5th (shot put), 2nd (discus).
Under-9
Scarlett Burmeister - 2nd (70m), 2nd (100m), 2nd (200m), 1st (triple jump), 11th (long jump), 6th (shot put); Fynlee Smithwick - 11th (long jump), 6th (shot put).
Under-10
Racquel Scott - 3.rd (70m), 3rd (100m), 1st (high jump), 7th (long jump).
Under-12
Katelin McDonald - 2nd (shot put), 2nd (javelin), 2nd (discus).
Boys, Under-6
Ryan McAdie - 2nd (70m), 4th (100m), 4th (long jump), 3rd (shot put).
Under-7
Jackson Harris - 9th (70m), 7th (100m), 8th (long jump), 5th (shot put).
Under-8
Noah Keith - 3rd (400m), 3rd (800m), 6th (long jump).
Under-9
Thomas Bartlett - 6th (400m), 7th (800m), 4th (shot put); Walter Pope - 7th (400m), 8th (800m), 3rd (triple jump), 1st (shot put); Cameron Nochols - 12th (long jump), 5th (triple jump), 2nd (shot put), 5th (discus); Keelan Perry - 3rd (60m hurdles), 11th (long jump), 4th (triple jump), 5th (shot put).
Under-10
Liam Davey - 2nd (200m), 2nd (400m), 3rd (800m).
Under-15
Mackenzie Thompson - 1st (shot put), 2nd (discus).
