EMLAC athletes perform strongly at regionals

By Josh Huntly

Feb 15, 2022

Running hard: EMLAC athlete Lynkoln Richardson (left) sprints around the track. Photo: Melanie Pyle.

Speed is the Key: Jaxon Key crosses the line in the 10-and-under 70m sprint. Photo: Melanie Pyle.

Warming up: Jobe Hosking, Thomas Renyolds, Jonty Carfoot and Jaxon Key ready themselves for their events. Photo: Melanie Pyle.

Southern Trio: Montanah, Scarlett and Amalie Southern all turned out for EMLAC in Albury. Photo: Melanie Pyle.

Echuca-Moama Little Athletics Club (EMLAC) enjoyed a strong showing at the Northern Country Regional athletics carnival in Albury, with eager athletes hitting the track and field at the Les O’Brien Athletics Precinct.

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EMLAC’s 22 representatives were red-hot in a range of events, finishing the carnival with 12 gold medals and 40 podium finishes.

A large contingent is now expected to qualify for the state athletic carnival, and club president Leah Smith said she was pleased to see Echuca-Moama’s athletes get reward for effort.

“We represented really well,” Smith said.

“We will have a lot progress to state.

“We’ll have at least half, if not more, who progress to state on their results.

“Based on results, the top 24 in most events will go through.”

EMLAC’s Scarlett Southern performed strongly in the 15-and-under track events, taking out gold in the 400m to go with silver in the 200m and 100m events, while Shaleah Cooper secured bronze in the shot put.

Elijah Swiggs racked up podium finishes in the boys’ 14-and-under field events, with gold in the javelin, silver in the shot put and bronze in the discus. Darcy Cullen claimed silver in the 800m and 1500m track races.

Amalie Southern and Tahlia Bright shared the podium twice in the 12-and-under track events, first in the 400m with Southern placing first and Bright second, while the results were reversed in the 800m event.

Nate Smith won three golds in a dominant boys’ 12-and-under campaign, in the triple jump, long jump and 400m. Lynkoln Richardson claimed silver in the discus and bronze in the long jump.

Meanwhile, Benji Carfoot won gold in the boys’ 11-and-under 800m and 1500m.

Jaxon Key and Luca Micalizzi also claimed gold in the boys’ 10-and-under 60m hurdle and shot put respectively.

With a swathe of medallions around the necks of joyous Echuca-Moama athletes, Smith said it was a point of pride to see many also set new personal bests.

“(There) were lots of PBs which is the main thing you aim for,” Smith said.

“To get a PB at a regional event is an awesome achievement.

“At the end of the day it’s all about just having fun.“

EMLAC state carnival representatives are expected to be confirmed in the next week.

The full list of carnival results can be viewed through the Little Athletics Victoria Bowls portal.

By Josh Huntly