By Jamie Strudley
On Friday night, Yarra Ranges Athletics held the annual senior club awards night.
Senior club members, friends and family took the opportunity to don their finest dinner wear to celebrate and recognise the achievements of the previous 12 months.
There was a long list of achievements by club members. A 2022 XCR season that saw the men’s team promoted to Division 2, the women’s team just miss promotion to Div 1, Zoe Clarke takeout the Athletics Victoria XCR Under 14 Girls Overall Champion and Harry Norman Represent in Australia at the World University Cross Country Championships.
The track and field team began in early October 2022, finishing on 15 April 2023. The team recorded 49 club records, the first ever Open State Medal and then first ever Open State Gold medal. Club athletes won a total of 13 medals at Victorian All Schools Championships, two medals at Australian All Schools Championships and nine medals at Victoria Track and Field Championships. Significant event barriers were broken including 40 metres for women’s Hammer throw, 35 metres for women’s Javelin, 30 minutes for mens 10000m and 23 seconds for men’s 200m.
There were multiple nominations for all awards with every nomination being a deserved recipient of the award. The two most prestigious awards were the perpetual trophies awarded to Harry Norman (Outstanding Achievement) and Max Savill-Bentley (Club Person of the Year). Awards winners were:
Outstanding Achievement Award Harry Norman
Club Person of the Year Max Savill-Bentley
Open Female Athlete of the Year Olivia Twining
Open Male Athlete of the Year Mitch Mullens
Junior Female Athlete of the Year Ashleigh Rooke
Junior Male Athlete of the Year Bradley McMeeken
Distance / Walks Athlete of the Year Emilie Garside
Jumps Athlete of the Year Liam Russell
Sprint / Hurdles Athlete of the Year Mitch Mullens
Throws Athlete of the Year Hayley Wilkins / Sarah Ebbels
XCR Athlete of the Year Zoe Clarke
Dual Registered Athlete of the Year Zoe Clarke / Mitch Pointon
Most Improved Athlete of the Year Bonnie Morris
New Member of the Year Ash Almond
Coach/Administrator/Official of the Year Jamie Strudley
YRA’s senior team was in action again on Saturday morning at the Victoria Walkers Club competition. New member Carolyn Rosenback won the Victorian 50+ 10,000m track walk title in a fabulous 59 min 08 secs. Emilie Garside was 4th in the 1500m track walk recording 9 mins 8 secs.
The XCR team is in action on Sunday with round two of the XCR season taking place at Albert Park for the Lakeside:10. Open and under 20 athletes run a fast, flat 10km road race while all athletes under 18 compete over 3000m with both races finishing on lakeside Stadium.
Saturday morning cross country continued, this time at a more challenging Margaret Lewis Reserve in Coldstream. It was another fantastic turnout of young and older athletes with the hills testing everyone and certainly preparing them for the rest of the YRA XC season.
Next week we are at Morrison Reserve where we meet from 8.45am near the school gym. With distances over 500m, 1000m, 1500m, 2000m and 3000m, there is something for everyone regardless of age or ability. Everyone in the family is welcome to join, so kids make sure mum and dad bring their running shoes. Anyone wanting and able to help with setup can join us from 7.30am or add your name to the helpers list via our socials.
Training continues for all club members on Tuesday from 5.30pm at Morrison Reserve and Thursday evenings from 5.30pm at Victoria Road Primary School gym with the emphasis changing to prepare for cross country. Yarra Ranges Athletics welcomes and encourages all athletes of any age or ability.
If you, or someone you know, wants to join in the fun of cross country email info@yarrarangesathletics.org.au for information about events and registration.
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!
