The 2023/24 track & field season concluded on Saturday with the Centre Championship Day held at Masons Lane Reserve.
Athletes competed in 5 of their favourite chosen events and medals were presented to the top 3 placegetters in each final event. A total of 456 Personal Best results were achieved for the Championships, as 199 athletes competed across the day. 244 Gold medals were presented to winners of each event, while 190 Silver medals and 151 Bronze medals were awarded too.
5 new Centre records were set for the day. Sam White broke 3 of his previous records. On the track, Sam sliced over 28 secs off his Under 17 1500m, running a new record time of 5:00.63 mins. Sam then added over a metre to his Javelin record, with a throw of 33.29 metres. In the 400m event, Sam took 2 secs off his record, with a new time of 1:04.94 mins. Teammate Emma Stewart also bettered her own 400m record, setting a new time of 1:13.13 mins. Under 11 athlete, Anni Clarke increased her own Discus record by 10cm, throwing a new record distance of 24.34 metres.
During the lunch break the end of season raffle was drawn. Thank you to those businesses who donated prizes – Coles, Ballan and Bacchus Marsh Local Butcher, Modern Teaching Aids, Sam Rae MP, & Steve McGhie MP.
Once events had concluded, athletes, Life Members, Distinguished Service members, parents and supporters joined together for the 2023/24 Track and Field end of season Centre presentations.
A Distinguished Service Award was presented to Karen Lloyd. Karen is a past Blues athlete, who returned to BMLAC 14 years ago when her boys, Hayden and Alex joined the Centre. Karen and family have travelled to Bacchus Marsh from Melbourne weekly to compete. Karen has been the Centre’s Triple Jump Chief for 10 years, guided by her father Trevor Lyne, also Distinguished Service member. Karen has coached various relay teams from 2015 to 2021.
Little Athletics Victoria service awards were presented to 7 year participants – Logan Simons, Molly Shea, Nicholas Ibrahim and Thomas Ibrahim. 10 year service certificates were presented to Evie White, Lachlan Simons, Mackenzie Estlick and Nicholas Ide.
The Centre age group Champions and Runner-Up award winners were announced.
UNDER 6 – Billy Pickett, Ava Will; Runner Up McKinley Clancy, Aubreigh Wake
UNDER 7 – Jody Fenwick, Millicent Johansen; Runner Up Kai Mills, Charlee Attard
UNDER 8 – Harvey Whitney, Blaithe Fletcher; Runner Up Saatvik Dwarampudi & Hendrix Wake, Arijana Brown
UNDER 9 – Jacob Cassar, Mia Dutt; Runner Up Kobi Hehir, Harbin kaur Aujla
UNDER 10 – Cohen Mills, Nyah Halfhide; Runner Up Sampath Dwarampudi, Evelyn Grant
UNDER 11 – Angus Norman, Anni Clarke; Runner Up Mitchell Tung, Scarlett Wake & Alexis Farrell
UNDER 12 – Harrison Lovett, Halo Arahanga; Runner Up Logan Simons, Evrah Fletcher
UNDER 13 – Dylan Havran, Myah Estlick; Runner Up Jett Ewart, Mathilde Grant
UNDER 14 – Patrick Lovett, Lily Norman; Runner Up Deegan Doyle, Keira Stapleton
UNDER 15 – Troy Lee, Evie White; Runner Up Nicholas Ide
UNDER 16 – Alex Lloyd, Mackenzie Estlick; Runner Up Hannah Lee
UNDER 17 – Samuel White, Emma Stewart
The overall Centre Champions were awarded to Jordy Fenwick, Blaithe Fletcher (Juniors), Anni Clarke, Harrison Lovett (Intermediate) and Myah Estlick and Samuel White (Seniors). Encouragement awards were presented to James Roberts, Oliver Coon and Jacob Ragusa. Special awards were presented to Mackenzie Estlick for the Jim Lilburne 100m Award, Emma Stewart for the Wayne Arnold High Jump award, Rachael Baker was awarded the Troy Lorensini Sportsmanship Award, Mackenzie Estlick was presented with the Trevor Lyne Triple Jump trophy while Cohen Mills was the Most Improved athlete for the season. The Egg Board Shield for the Champion Club was won by the Blues Club.
A big thank you to everyone who carried out their required duties throughout the day and thank you to those who attended and supported our athletes.
Best of luck to Under 17 and Centre Captains, Sam & Emma who finish their time as athletes at BMLAC, but we look forward to seeing you down at Masons Lane Reserve next season.
The Centre will now take a short break and will return for the Winter Cross Country season. The first competition will be held on Saturday 4th May at Bostock Reservoir, Ballan commencing at 10.30am. Summer registered athlete fees include the Cross Country season, while new members are welcome to register for Cross Country for a small fee.
The Centre AGM will be held on Wednesday 1st May at 7.30pm at the clubrooms.
