This week a large number of Essendon athletes made the trek out to John Landy Athletics Field to compete at the Steigen Victorian Country Athletics Championships. The excellent representation at the Championships saw us as one of the most represented clubs over the three days.

Congratulations to the following 53 athletes who represented the club throughout the championships and ensuring we had a representative in every single discipline.

Congratulations to: Amanda Wrout, Sophia Gregorevic, Katie Baynes, Lily-Bella Hilli, Emily Mifsud, Charlotte Jackson, Sukhnoor Rangi, Khushnoor Rangi, Tesia Haggai, Lillian Micallef, Jamison Towers, Rosa Barbanti, Madigan Carroll, Molly Bremner, Cailin Walker, Imogen Makin, Sasha Jurson, Ella Leith, Mackenzie Leith, Arden Stevens, William Hurt, Lachlan Hicks, Jonathan Neethling, Lucas Harris, Noah Tarallo, Maddox Wilson, Alexander Carroll, Mason Hambling, Spars Veljanovski, Colin Ritchie, Graeme Baynes, Kristian Lakusa, Mikeala Selaidinakos, Melissa Foster, Montana Djatschenko, Zara Keca, Michael Chau, Brian Mayengo, Christian Reinhardt, Matt Dinan, Vishnu Satish, Marcus Guglielmino, Harry Williams, Matt Hosie, Liam Glew, Maggie Armstrong, Mark Harper, Sukhjivan Singh, Matthew Makin, Mark Hambling, Mark Carey, John Cooper and David Jones.

For a number of athletes these championships marked some important milestones and we’d like to celebrate these special moments with the following athletes; These championships will be one to remember for Emily Mifsud who recorded a national qualifier in the 3000m. Congratulations to Lucas Harris on competing in his first ever steeplechase. Anyone who has attempted steeplechase knows its challenges and to try it at a championship event takes true commitment, well done Lucas on an excellent result which was just shy of a national qualifier. Congratulations to Molly Bremner who also recorded an excellent steeplechase result. Not only did Molly record an 18 second PB but she also placed first in the U16 race. Aged only twelve and one of our youngest athletes, this is a fantastic achievement on all fronts. Lillian Micallef only began athletics this season and it was fantastic to see her compete in multiple events at her first championships as well as recording a PB in the 100m. Another athlete to compete at their first championship was Mason Hambling. Congratulations to Mason on recording 3 PBs and placing in all of his events. Christian Reinhardt was another of our athletes who celebrated his first championship with a PB. Maggie Armstrong continued her excellent season by recording PBs in both the 400m and 200m.

Competing at a championship is always special and recording a PB or SB is something to be extremely proud of. For three of our athletes these championship were celebrated by recording club records. Congratulations to Mackenzie Leith on once again breaking the U18 discus record. This is the second time in the past fortnight that Mackenzie has broken this record. Congratulations also to Noah Tarallo on breaking his own U14 2000m steeplechase record and Jonathan Neethling on also breaking his existing U15 2000m steeplechase record.

Congratulations to the following athletes on placing at the championships.

Congratulations to the following athletes on also recording PB or SB: Alexander Carroll (400m 63.80 PB), Matt Hosie (pole vault 4.60m SB), Ella Leith (triple jump 9.81m PB), Lucas Harris (2000m steeplchase 7:09.24), Christian Reinhardt (200m 23.13 PB), Cailin Walker (90m hurdles 15.24 PB), Lillian Micallef (100m of 13.59 PB).

A big thank you also needs to go to the following individuals for completing duties across the three days; Manpreet Rangi, Chris Bremner, Susan Harris, Sandra Schultze, Kristen Towers, Tania Hardin, Justin Carroll, Anna Neethling, Liza Lakusa, Dale Walker and Joanna Margiolis.

Thanks to Victoria Entwiste-Hardeman (veh_photography) for capturing photos as well as Scott Sidley (@ss__athletics).