STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Doncaster Newsletter

State Champs – 6/03/2024

A talented contingent of DAC athletes took on the Victorian Track and Field Championships, held over 2 huge weekends at Lakeside!  Collectively, they came away with 7 Gold, 9 Silver and 4 Bronze medals!  An amazing achievement!  There were medalists, plus many examples of our younger athletes ‘just putting themselves out there’ on the big stage!  This was extremely commendable and a fantastic learning experience!  Some will be selected to continue to the Australian Championships to be held in Adelaide in April.   

Alessia Wynne (Open) has had a phenomenal season!  She took Gold in the 100m hurdles, also breaking the DAC Club Record!  Added to this; she gained a silver in the Long Jump!  Two younger throwers, Emily McKinley (U15) and Jessica Nolan (U17), between them, took a 6-medal haul!  Emily; 1 Gold, 1 Silver and 2 Bronze, in all of the throws!  Jessica – 1 Gold and 1 Bronze!  Both girls represent outstanding young talent in the field!  The Harding sisters, Shakira (U18) and Jamison (U16) were unstoppable in their hurdles events – 2 Gold and 1 Silver between them!  Neither took on the Pole Vault in these Championships, however, Allegria Bassile (U14) – achieved a height of 3.05m, almost worthy of World Juniors Qualification! On this occasion – a clear winner and totally out-classed her U14 opponents!  Duo, Lewis (U14) and Hamish (U16) McLennan, gave their all in the 3000m walk event, both being awarded Silver medals!  On the first weekend, Lewis also won his U14 Hammer Throw – he had both strength and mature technique, demonstrating excellent potential in this demanding event!  Another youngster, U14 middle-distance runner Chloe Baldock, achieved 2 Silvers in the 800m/1500m double!  Chloe (just 12 years of age) shows a commitment well beyond her years, and certainly has a very bright future ahead!  The sprints were also a source of medals for our young male athletes.  Matthew Friar (Open) was awarded Silver in his 200m, and Commonwealth Games representative, Anthony Jordan (U20) took Silver in his 100m.  On weekend 1, Under 20 athlete Matthew Parrott achieved Bronze in an extremely competitive 100m!   

Though not becoming medalists, the efforts of many Juniors at these Championships are to be commended!   Some were just outside podium positions, or just outside qualifying for finals.  With further hard work, they could very well be in with a great chance in 2025!  A shout out to: 

Talise and Zander Botha, and April Kosta – for their efforts in jumps and sprints/hurdles! 

Zoe Garden, Christian Zapris, Katrina Cheung, Mia Fernandez, Riley Neecowen, Lachlan Parrott, Zach Wong, Ezra Chan and Teiva Levy – outstanding sprint talent!  

Harry Maddocks, Sanne Bakker, Lucy and Madeleine Kearney, Alfie Onley, Luca Scholes-Robertson, Thomas Steinman and Olivia Collett – excellent middle-distance talent!   

Alex Lloyd – High Jump talent!   

All have worked exceptionally hard, used the AVSL season as their race preparation, and now can be super-proud of their efforts and commitment!  Though a medal would have been ideal, their journey begins again with season 24/25!   

All results: Weekend 1