EAGLEHAWK will be chasing a fourth consecutive title as the number one team at this weekend’s Athletics Victoria country championships in Ballarat.
A squad of 47 will represent the Hawks when the three-day meet starts at 3pm on Friday at Llanberris Reserve in Eaglehawk.
The titles have drawn 106 competitors from the Athletics Bendigo Region.
Eaglehawk holds the Margaret Saunders Country Cup as number one club, as well as the David Kitt Memorial Trophy, men’s; and Ex-Athletes Cup, women’s.
A strength of the Two Blues is their versatility across a wide range of groups.
The Hawks have talented juniors in the under-16, 18 and 20 age groups, and stars in the veteran classes of 40, 50 and 60-plus.
Key athletes in Eaglehawk’s squad of 47 include David Chisholm, James Bentley, Kye Mason, Jorja Morrison, Terry Hicks, Olivia Graham, Kathryn Heagney, Angus McKindlay, Siobhan Thompson, Hunter Staples, Tim Sullivan, the Hattingh sisters, and Marsh twins.
A year ago, Hicks earned the Athletics Chilwell award for most outstanding veteran at the titles.
Runner-up to Eaglehawk at last year’s titles at Geelong’s Landy Field, South Bendigo has 32 competitors for this campaign.
South’s squad includes national open shot put champion Emma Berg, and pole vault star James Woods.
The Australia Day Medal in 2020 was won by Emma Berg.
A highlight for the club will be Greg Hilson lining up for a 36th consecutive country titles meet.
Other athletes to watch in the red and white include Carol Coad, Taryn Furletti, Joan Self, Logan Tickell, Kellie Doering, Trudy Haines, Abbey Hromenko, Emma Orme, Aaron Norton and Chris Timewell.
Bendigo Harriers put in a great effort to be sixth at the 2020 championships.
The Harriers have a great mix of ages and ability throughout there squad of 25 bound for Ballarat.
In-form athletes from Harriers include Abbey Conquer, Jamie Cook, Jake and Monique Gavriliadis, Lachlan Carr, Geoff Jordan, Rebecca Soulsby, Yvette Palmer and Geoff Shaw.
Bendigo University will be represented by Molly Butler and Russell Jenkins in track events.
There will be 326 events contested across the days.
Major challengers to Eaglehawk’s winning streak are likely to be Geelong Guild and Athletics Chilwell.
Ballarat Harriers, Ballarat YCW, Wendouree and Eureka will be keen to perform well on home turf.
The titles have drawn clubs from as afield as Albury, Shepparton, Traralgon, Corio and Mornington Peninsula.
Athletes from metropolitan clubs will also be in action, but are not eligible for medals.
- Field action starts at 3pm on Friday at Ballarat’s athletics facility in York Street.
- First of the track events will be at 4pm.
- Competition on Saturday kicks off at 9am.
- Sunday’s finale begins with field at 8am and track from 9.15am.
