Countdown to relay championships begins

Yarra Ranges athlete Ebonnie Twining competing at the recent AV Shield. Picture: ERIKA BEDYN 147391

By JAMIE STRUDLEY

THE hills around Mount Evelyn were ringing with the sounds of fun, laughter, cheering and despair as Yarra Ranges Athletics played host to the Eastern Melbourne Region Relay Championships.
Over one thousand little athletics athletes from throughout the eastern part of Melbourne were competing for their clubs and teammates for region relay medals and possible qualification for the Victorian Championships.
Yarra Ranges Athletics had 33 teams competing throughout the day finishing with five firsts, one second placing, two thirds and 24 teams making their respective finals.
A fantastic result, of which every athlete, parent and official were very proud.
Team results are:
U9 Mixed 4 x 200 Final 1st, U10 Mixed 4 x 200 Final 1st, U11 Mixed 4 x 200 Final 3rd, U15 Mixed 4 x 200 Final 3rd, U11 Boys 4 x 200 Heat 10th, U14 Boys 4 x 200 Final 6th, U14 Girls 4 x 200 Final 8th, U15 Girls 4 x 200 Final 8th, 9-11 Boys Medley Final 4th, 9-11 Girls Medley Final 1st, 12-13 Girls Medley Final 1st, 14-15 Girls Medley Final 5th, U10 Girls Medley Final 6th, U11 Boys Medley Heat 7th, U11 Girls Medley Final 1st, U12 Girls Medley Final 5th, U14 Boys Medley Final 4th, U9 Mixed 4 x 100 Heat 11th, U10 Mixed 4 x 100 Final 7th, U11 mixed 4 x 100 Final 7th, U13 Mixed 4 x 100 Heat 11th, U14 Mixed 4 x 100 Final 2nd, U9 Girls 4 x 100 Heat 12th, U11 Boys 4 x 100 Heat 13th, U11 Girls 4 x 100 Heat 13th, U12 Girls 4 x 100 Final 7th, U13 Boys 4 x 100 Heat 10th, U13 Girls 4 x 100 Final 8th, U14 Girls 4 x 100 Heat 8th, U14 Boys 4 x 100 Final 7th, U15 Girls 4 x 100 Final 8th.
Congratulations to the team managers Rob and Kate Van Duuren and the coaches Sophie and Kieran.
Also a thank you to the many club helpers who spent the day doing duties, especially Michael Clarke, Dave Laven, Malcolm Duncan, Darren Ford, Mark and Trevor Davidson, and Dom and Laura Digregorio.
The seniors competed in Round 5 of the AV Shield on Sunday at Doncaster.
A fantastic day of competition saw some excellent performances.
Full results will be on the club website.
Next week we have a regular round of Little Athletics competition on Saturday morning.
See you there from 8.30am for set up and any early events.
For information on how to join or trial, photos, results and updated news, visit yarrarangesathletics.org.au or check out the Facebook page.
Run, jump, throw … too easy!