The 9-10 boys 4×100 metre relay team from Gladstone Park’s School of the Good Shepherd was last year excited to be part of the school’s return to the School Sports Victoria state track and field championships.
When the boys took home bronze in the under-10 4×100 metre relay, they were very keen to come back again this year to claim gold.
Their ages meant the boys were still eligible for the same under-10 event.
Three of the boys, Hugo Garcia and twins Zyon and Dre Iosefo, were this year joined by Luka Vidovi, dominating the heats and final to take home gold.
Zyon said last year’s effort was the more exciting as it was the boys’ first but they were really happy to win gold.
“I was a bit nervous,” he said. “It’s good to win but I was more excited last year.”
Luka was thrilled to be part of the team after missing out last year and nearly missing again this year after injury threatened his participation in the regional qualifying event.
“It was close at the start and close at the end of the race,” Luka said.
“For the heat I was nervous, but not so much in the final as we had beat everyone in the heats.”
Carlos Egan, the fourth member of last year’s relay team, had his own success this year, winning the under-11 200 metres and triple jump.
He was too old to be in the relay with the other boys this year.
“It felt great to get the win,” Carlos said. “There were a lot of nerves and at the start the competition looked scary.
“I got a lot of support from my mum and dad. Dad told me I had the fastest times after the heats.”
Carlos will represent Victoria in the 200 metres and medley relay at the national championships in December.
Joining the boys at the state titles was Ashliegh Ringisayi, who finished ninth in the under-11 girls 200 metres.
Teacher David Kehagias said athletics success was having an affect on the children’s other sport pursuits.
Luka is a keen soccer player and was in the third round of the state school trials and Zyon has made a Victorian touch rugby team.
“All the boys know that they have to keep working hard on their athletics if they want success,” Kehagias said. “It really has helped their other sports.”
