ATHLETICS Bendigo Region’s women’s open team has qualified to race the best in next year’s XCR series run by Athletics Victoria. The Bendigo Bats line-up clinched premiership victory in last Saturday’s final leg of the 10-round series backed by On.
Athletes raced the 3.83km circuit in The Tan Relays in Melbourne’s Botanic Gardens. As it had done all season, Bendigo locked horns with Yarra Ranges.
The Bats charge to victory was led off by Chelsea Tickell and Phoebe Lonsdale in identical times of 14.14 before handing over to Bec Wilkinson, 14.15.
A time of 13.46 by Taryn Furletti was the second fastest as the Bats won in 56.29 from Yarra Ranges, 58.28.
“We are so proud to have taken out the women’s division two XCR premiership,” Alice Wilkinson said.
“We have been working toward this goal for a few years now, climbing from division four in 2022, and division three last year.
“There is a great diversity of ages and strengths across all distances.
“We had 17 women contribute to scoring for the division two team this season. It’s been an awesome team effort.”
The Bats line-up was Matt Buckell, 10.49; Andy Buchanan, 10.42 (2nd FT), Logan Tickell, 11.15; and Archie Reid, 11.57).
Western charged to victory in 1:06.54 and premiership glory as Bendigo was second after being champion the previous two seasons.
The Western Athletics squad scored 96 points in the title race as Bendigo was next on 75.
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In the women’s division four race, Bendigo was third as Yazmin Hayes, 15.03; Laura Kerlin, 15.45; and Alice Wilkinson, 15.00, teamed up for a time of 45.48.
Bendigo’s squad of Thomas McArthur, 12.35; Billy Meade, 12.48; and Asher Miller, 12.46, was sixth in the under-20 men’s race in 38.19.
The under-18 boys race was taken out by Essendon in 35.36 from Bendigo’s team of Kade Hutchinson, 11.55; Tyler Fynch, 12.06; and Avery McDermid, 11.45, for a time of 35.45.
