Young athletes from Gosnells and Districts have returned from the WA State Winter Championships with a strong haul of medals and new goals for the season ahead.
Athletes competed in the WA State Road Walking Championships at Perry Lakes Reserve on August 2, with several finishing on the podium after months of winter training.
Emily John won gold in the Under 10 Girls 1500m racewalk, while Lyla Gurney took gold and Carly Hood silver in the Under 11 Girls 2000m event.
Lawson Vince also claimed gold in the Under 11 Boys 2000m racewalk, while Varseerat Mand won bronze in the Under 12 Girls 2000m.
Ella Dowdell took gold in the Under 13 Girls 3000m racewalk, Gabriella John won silver in the Under 14 Girls 3000m and Tory D’Alessio added another gold for the centre in the Under 16 Girls 5000m.
Carly said earning a medal meant a lot after training four nights a week and competing throughout the winter season.
“It meant a lot to me for winning a medal because I achieved my goal and got the results I wanted after training hard,” she said.
She now has her sights set much further ahead, with hopes of one day competing at the Commonwealth or Olympic Games in racewalking.
Emily said she was nervous at the beginning of the championships, but that changed as her race approached.
“After I finished my race, I felt proud of myself and my achievement through the winter season,” she said.
“I was really happy and proud because I worked hard to achieve my medal and all my accomplishments this winter season.”
Lyla, who trained three nights a week for racewalking, said one of the hardest parts was managing her nerves.
She said she enjoyed meeting athletes from other districts and hoped to win a medal at the Summer State Championships and qualify for the Australian Little Athletics Championships.
Lawson is also aiming for the national competition after achieving his goal of winning gold.
“I enjoy getting stronger and faster and improving my technique,” he said.
Gosnells and Districts athletes also found success in cross country, with Vanessa Raynor and Jasmeen Mand both winning bronze medals in their respective State Championship events.
Vanessa said she went into the competition feeling “a bit nervous, but also excited” and had been hoping to win a State medal.
Her next goal is to qualify for the School Sport WA cross country team next year.
Gabriella, meanwhile, hopes to build on her silver medal with success during the summer season and eventually compete internationally in Singapore.
The athletes trained with winter coaches at Gosnells and Maddington, with pre-season training set to begin in the week of September 14 at local Little Athletics clubs.
