There was no shortage of success for the Mudgee Little Athletics squad at the western plains zone carnival in Gilgandra as regional spots were secured.
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61 athletes took to the starting line, with ages ranging from under 7s to under 15s.
The aim of the day was to gain a top six spot in order to qualify for the regional carnival which will be held in February at Dubbo.
Currently, 52 Mudgee athletes have qualified for the regional competition - the highest number of competitors to date.
Mudgee Little Athletics Club President Kieren Bennetts says to get these results is a stellar achievement considering the size of other clubs that make up part of the western zone.
“It’s pretty impressive because we’re not a huge club. I think this year we’ve rolled over double the numbers of athletes on last year,” Bennetts said.
It makes me feel nothing but proud of the kids. They’re out there giving it a go.
- Kieren Bennetts
2018 was the first time the squad has been able to fill all four relay teams (junior boys, junior girls, senior boys, senior girls), doubling as the first time all four teams have ever qualified for regionals.
“It’s the first time we’ve been able to fill all of the relay teams,” Bennetts said.
“For all of them to qualify and make it through to the next carnival is a big achievement.”
Despite being a smaller team, the Mudgee side is quite well-rounded.
We’ve got a really good bunch of kids who do really well in the longer distance, but then we’ve also got another good bunch of kids who do really well in the shorter stuff.
- Kieren Bennetts
Mudgee athletes will next compete at the regional competition, hoping to gain a top two spot to qualify for the state championships in Homebush, March 2019.
Jay-Anna Sleeman
Reporter for the Western Advocate. First began as a sports journalist with ACM in 2018 before moving on to cover news and court.
Reporter for the Western Advocate. First began as a sports journalist with ACM in 2018 before moving on to cover news and court.
