State Track & Field Comp – Thrilling and Fantastic

SCHOOL SPORT VICTORIA

State Track and Field Championships

On Monday 21 October, thirteen students proudly represented Catherine McAuley College Bendigo at the School Sports Victoria State Track and Field Championships, held at Lakeside Stadium in Albert Park. The weather was perfect, with the sun shining and barely any wind—a fantastic day for competition.

We were incredibly impressed with how each student represented the school. They were professional and demonstrated outstanding sportsmanship towards both their opponents and teammates. Congratulations to all the students who made it this far; qualifying for the State final is an incredible achievement regardless of the results.

A special mention goes to Jorja Morrison, who was exceptional on the day, becoming the individual State Champion in the Girls 18-20 years Long Jump. Jorja also achieved other outstanding results as she finished as the State Runner up in the Girls 18-20 years Triple Jump, third in Girls 18-20 years 100m, and finally went on to brilliantly anchor the Open Girls Relay, showcasing her versatility and talent.

The Girls Year 7 4 x 100m relay team delivered a thrilling performance. It started with April Wainwright bursting out of the blocks, giving the team an excellent start. Mila Childs powered down the back straight, positioning the team favourably with a clean baton exchange to Sienna Raco, who ran the curve superbly. The team’s final runner, Emma Colt, rounded the bend with Balwyn High School’s runner tightly on her right shoulder. It was a neck-and-neck battle all the way down the final 100 metres, with nothing separating the two teams.

The crowd held its breath as they crossed the finish line, unsure of the outcome. Both teams recorded an identical time of 53.89 seconds. After a tense wait for the judges to review the photo finish, it was revealed that Balwyn High School had edged out CMCB by just one-hundredth of a second to be crowned State Champions. Although it was a heart-breaking result for our girls, we couldn’t be prouder of their effort, teamwork, and grace in the face of such a close competition. The team’s incredible performance earned them the honour of being Runners Up in the State—a fantastic achievement.

After a long wait, it was finally time for the Girls Open 4 x 100m Relay. Year 8 student, Imogen Brown, stepped up to compete in the older age group and was entrusted with the opportunity to start the race. Despite a slight wobble in the blocks, Imogen was off and running, chasing down her competitors and closing the gap as she rounded the bend. She was unfazed by the older and more experienced athletes and gave the team the perfect start. Next up was Year 10 student Hannah Cochrane, who powered down the back straight, executing an exceptional second leg of the race and putting the team well in contention. Charli McInerney, also in Year 10, took off with a smooth baton exchange and held the team’s position beautifully around the final bend.

As Hazel Glen College entered the final 100m with a slight lead, the girls knew that they just needed to give Jorja Morrison the baton smoothly to give her the best chance to close the gap. Jorja, the team’s Year 12 standout, took off with gritty determination, and with about 50 metres to go, caught up to the leader, and eventually passed her, with incredible composure. The team won with a time of 53.65 seconds, just ahead of Hazel Glen who clocked 53.79. To be crowned State Champions with a team comprised of one Year 8, two Year 10s, and a Year 12 is an outstanding achievement. Well done, girls, on a brilliant race!

The entire squad had a marvellous day, with Catherine McAuley College Bendigo finishing 5th in the overall schools’ tally. With thirteen students representing the school, this was a tremendous team effort against schools from all over Victoria.

RESULTS

1st Place & State Champion(s)
Jorja Morrison – Open Girls – Long Jump
Open Girls 4x100m Relay – Imogen Brown, Hannah Cochrane, Charli McInerney, Jorja Morrison

2nd Place & State Runners Up
Mila Childs – 13 Year Girls – 400m
Daniel Noden – Open Boys – 400m
Jorja Morrison – Open Girls – Triple Jump

3rd Place
Jack Nuttall – Open Boys – 200m
Daniel Noden – Open Boys – High Jump
Jorja Morrison – Open Girls – 100m
Grace Mulqueen – 15 Year Girls – 1500m

4th Place
Kade Hutchinson – 17 Year Boys – 1500m
Mila Childs – 13 Year Girls – Triple Jump
Imogen Brown – 14 Year Girls – 800m

5th Place
Jack Nuttall – Open Boys – 100m

6th Place
April Wainwright – 13 Year Girls – 800m & 1500m

7th Place
Kahl McInerney – 13 Year Boys – Hurdles
Emma Colt – 13 Year Girls – Hurdles
Imogen Bown – 14 Year Girls – 400m