By JAMIE STRUDLEY
BRAVING freezing temperatures, rain and less than ideal weather conditions, a small but dedicated and enthusiastic group of Yarra Ranges Athletics athletes ventured to Mountain Recreation Reserve in Cockatoo to join the Cockatoo Little Athletics Club for a unique round of cross country at an exciting new venue.
Those who were brave enough to venture out on a morning where simply staying in bed was an extremely attractive preposition were treated to some classic cross country conditions; mud, puddles, obstacles, creek crossings, forest trails and, who could forget, hills.
The course was challenging with undulating and hilly terrain, bountiful obstacles and wet and sloppy conditions underfoot.
This – combined with a welcoming, friendly and relaxed atmosphere – ensured that the day was a success, with smiles beaming on all faces.
Results: 500m, Lillianna Poot 3.32, Sam Laven 3.35, Blake Freer 4.02, Charlotte Spiteri 4.25, Madeline Cannon 4.26, Lily Clarke 4.31, Angus Comport 4.58, Laura Digregorio 4.58, Owen Poot 5.47, Regan Lougheed 7.07, 1000m, Mitchell Deckert 4.05, Zac Clarke 4.09, Zoe Clarke 4.59, Charlotte Comport 5.19, Kayla Cannon 5.19, William Spiteri 5.52, Eibhlin O’Connor 6.05, Willem Poot 6.07, Harvey Kane 6.14, Laura Digregorio 6.24, Clara Woods 6.30, Nicole Cannon 6.32, Sinead Willey 6.55, Charlotte Morgan 7.08, 1500m,Graham Begroth 5.46,Kiara Flavell 6.38,Tiarnach O’Connor 7.38,Tiara Willis 8.23,Harrison Cape 8.32,Zoe Freer 8.32,James Davidson 9.03,Katyn Russell 9.11,Mia Harris 9.21,Jake Russell 9.47,Sam Laven 9.58,Tahlia Murden 10.32,Clara Woods 11.06,Regan Lougheed 12.12,Laura Digregorio 12.13,2000m, Mitchell Deckert 8.44, Zac Clarke 9.00, Indigo Linde 9.24, Madeline Laven 9.24, Nathan Murden 9.24, Ben Peeler 10.01, Ciara Willey 10.12Annika Peeler 10.56, Aleesa Keenan 11.38, Tahlia Harriss 11.38, Graeme Woolridge 12.15, Clara Woods 12.23, Trish Comport 15.38, Laura Digregorio 15.44, Blake Freer 15.45, 3000m, James Laven 11.28, Harrison Van Duuren 12.17, Byran Ackerly 13.03, Taj Linde 13.25, Tallis Cape 13.50, Tayleb Willis 13.57, Indigo Linde 14.00, Madeline Laven 14.00, Ashlee Bowden (Cockatoo) 14.30, Ashleigh Gasson 14.46, Zoe Clarke 15.26, Georgia Laven 15.27, Ryan Thrall 15.27, Simone Burger 15.29, Jayden Clarke 16.03, Jed Thrall 16.09, Nigel Murden 16.10, Michael Clarke 16.12, Erika Bedyn 17.17, Rickylee Brown 17.41, Laura Digregorio 18.22, Katie Clarke 18.55, Sam Laven 20.01, Dave Laven 20.03, Brayden Woolridge 21.58
Yarra Ranges Athletics and the wider Yarra Ranges community congratulate Lateisha Willis on her selection to represent Australia at the Oceania Games to be held in Fiji in July.
A fantastic achievement and one we hope is a step to bigger things.
Next week Yarra Ranges will meet at Lillydale Lake for cross country, with proceedings beginning at 8.45am for a 9am start. Our senior team will be heading to Ballarat for Round 4 of XCR16.
For results, news, photos and more, visit yarrarangesathletics.org.au or check out the Facebook page.
