The Victorian Junior State Track and Field Championships were held over the weekend at Lakeside Stadium, Albert Park which featured 29 athletes representing Doncaster Athletics Club. In an amazing display of the depth Doncaster currently has in its juniors, the results proved that Doncaster AC has a bright future ahead.
Doncaster concluded the weekend with 5 newly crowned State Champions including a number of others qualifying for the Junior National Championships scheduled for later on in the year.
In the sprint events, it was Sarah Fitt, Conrad Coumaros, Callum Byrne and Jonathan Taylor that picked up minor medals in the U/18 Girls 100m, U/20 Mens 400m, U/18 Mens 400m Hurdles and U/18 boys 110m Hurdles respectively. Sarah Fitt then doubled up in the U/18 Girls 100m Hurdles to win and become the new Victoria State Champion. This feet was also achieved by Damon Zethoven and Alex De Medio who both won their age group hurdle events, in the 110m and 400m respectively.
In the distance, the girls could do no wrong! Charlotte Bassett and Nat Rule both finished 3rd overall in their age group 1500m events, with Natalie promoted to second in the State after being beaten by a Tasmanian visitor in the race. Abbey Caldwell snuck in for second in the U/14 girls 800m event showing that she’s ready for the senior ranks once she progresses from the Little Athletic completion. Natalie Rule doubled up in the middle distance events and managed to snare a bronze medal in the U/20 girls 800m after finishing strongly to finish third in the state. Charlotte Bassett continued on her silver streak to finish second in the U/17 girls 3000m with Chow Lui receiving the bronze in the U/16 boys 2000m Steeplechase.
In the field, Doncaster AC dominated the throwing events by picking up 7 medals – 2 gold, 4 silver and a bronze. Natasha Coumaros managed to double her brother’s rewards by picking up 2 silver medals in the U/18 Girls Discus and Shotput events. Stephanie Ratcliffe competed in all 4 throwing events and managed to pick up 3 medals – one of each colour. She received minor placing’s in the U/15 girls Shotput and Hammer throw event but got on top in the Discus to ensure that her 2014/15 AV competition number would include wreaths symbolizing her state title. Ryan Young finished in a close second in the U/18 boys discus event with James Joycey rounding out the days amazing results by winning the U/16 boys Hammer throw to become the Doncaster’s 5th State Champion.
Congratulations to all that competed and made it into the finals, we’re looking forward to a bright and prosperous future at DAC.