Orange coaches Carrie Keegan and Jessica Willis are over the moon with their charges’ efforts at last month’s Little Athletics NSW Track and Field Championships at Homebush, which included four stars bringing home medals.
Stirling Farr, Ollie Keegan and Kaitlyn Hinrichsen all picked up a medal, the former’s gold, while Jackson Willis claimed two.
After qualifying with the second-fastest time Farr peaked in his boys’ under-13 80-metre hurdles final, clocking 12.34 seconds to seal gold.
Keegan claimed bronze in his boys’ under-15 200m event and Hinrichsen did the same in her girls’ 1500m final, while Willis shone in long jump and triple jump.
In his under-15 age group, he leapt 6.29m and 13.09m respectively to seal a pair of silver medals.
“I think we had some really great medal chances across the group and we won a few which is just excellent, but I think there was more personal bests than maybe we were expecting,” Jessica Willis said.
“There was a lot of personal bests and top 10 finishes as well, so everyone’s done really well,” Carrie Keegan added.
“They all performed really well too and all we can ever ask for as coaches is effort and hopefully improvement, medals and that sort of thing are bonuses.
“They also all really enjoyed the experience at Homebush, competing there is a big deal, the only facility out here similar to that is Dubbo.”
Farr’s win continued his incredible run of success in the hurdles, this year’s gold medal is his fourth in a row.
“He’s won that event four years in a row as he’s gone up in age groups, he’d done so well,” Keegan said.
“So did the other guys who won medals, even though they’re their own worst critics,” Willis laughed.
For Jackson Willis, the successful campaign at state was the perfect way to boost his preparation for this year’s 2018 Coles Australian Little Athletics Championships at the Gold Coast’s Runaway Bay Sports Super Centre at the end of the month, he’ll compete in the under-15 multi-event.
Only three boys and girls get picked for team NSW, and Blayney’s Cleo Dickie also earned a gig in the girls’ under-15 trio.
“Making that team is pretty special, and he’s tracking well,” Keegan said.
“Top 10’s the aim. Probably in his mind he wants a medal, but he’s got a long haul between now and then, to be ready.
“Across seven events it’s pretty huge, performing well across all of them isn’t never easy.”
Coles Little Athletics Australia acknowledges and pays respect to all traditional custodians of the lands of which we work, run, jump and throw throughout Australia. We pay respect to elders both past, present and emerging.
We are committed to a positive future for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and to honor their ongoing cultural and spiritual connections to this country and recognize the role and value of culture.
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