Whittlesea Little Athletic Centre is hoping to use the club’s success at the recent Victorian State Relay Championships to inspire members in the second half of its season.
The club achieved its best results at the December championships, winning eight medals – two gold, three silver and three bronze.
The under-14-16 boys medley team and the mixed under-14 4 x 100 metres relay teams won gold.
One of the club’s coaches, Cameron Lamb, said the results exceeded expectations.
The club had 24 teams make it through to the state championships with most making finals.
“We won four medals last year and we weren’t sure we could emulate that,” Lamb said. “To win eight medals is a record.”
Adding to the record medal tally, the centre’s under-14-16 boys medley team broke the state record.
The team of Nathan Anderson, Danny Rigby, Lachlan Lamb and Brandon Austin ran a time of 1:39.66 to finish ahead of Ballarat and Diamond Valley.
“It’s only the second state record ever set by anyone from the centre,” Lamb said. “I think the boys were quite relieved … they had felt the pressure to perform as we knew they were our best chance.”
Lamb said the club was hopeful further success would come at the region and state little athletics titles in February and March respectively.
“I think we will go excellent at both the events and go better than ever,” he said.
“At the state titles we never walk away with many medals – normally three or four.
“This year we are hoping to smash that tally.”
