It was a very small group that returned to track and field for our first night back in 2026 on January 14th, and we managed to complete the program before the rain set in.
In the field, Tim Musson kicked off the new year in style with two new records. Tim threw 40.69m in the discus, improving on his previous mark of 39.60m, and followed that up with 12.00m in the shot put, bettering his previous best of 11.64m.
There were only two other competitors in the shot put on the night, with Mel Jennings achieving 7.74m and Kerrie Jones throwing 6.29m.
In the discus, Declan Bennett produced a solid throw of 20.55m, closely followed by Mel Jennings with 20.10m. Five-year-old Grace Parmenter impressed with a great throw of 5.93m, while in D-grade Hazel Saviane recorded 9.17m, Hamish Bennett 7.05m, Leo Krizanovic 6.79m and Lani Parmenter 6.22m.
At the long jump pit, the juniors enjoyed the chance to extend themselves. Jack Saviane was the only athlete to clear the 3 metre mark with a jump of 3.01m. Other strong efforts, just shy of 3m, came from Declan Bennett (2.83m), Isla Saviane (2.78m) and Chelsea Corbridge (2.73m). Also jumping well were Lani Parmenter (2.40m) and Leo Krizanovic (2.16m).
Heat 1 of the 800m was won by Lani Parmenter in 3.50.24, followed by Leo Krizanovic in 4.08.21 and Hamish Bennett in 4.10.54. Hazel Saviane finished next in 4.21.29, then Grace Parmenter (5.14.76), Rosie Saviane (5.46.83) and Coco Prayetno (7.20.72).
Heat 2 was taken out by Declan Bennett in 2.51.07. Second place went to Leith Babian in 2.52.07, who was taking it easy after recovering from injury, with third place going to strong-finishing Chelsea Corbridge in 3.21.59. Fourth was Jack Saviane (3.35.99), followed by Isla Saviane (3.38.35) and Erich Moeller-Duhme (4.06.85).
Over 200m, the fastest athlete on the night was Chelsea Corbridge with 32.76, narrowly edging out Leith Babian in 32.93. E-grade athletes Grace Parmenter (1.02.13), Rosie Saviane (1.08.94), Kayleigh Kingdom (1.25.44), Max Saviane (1.30.61) and Coco Prayetno (1.43.44) all put in great efforts. Meanwhile, the D-grade athletes all finished under 50 seconds – Lani Parmenter (42.27), Leo Krizanovic (46.01), Hamish Bennett (47.97) and Hazel Saviane (48.16).
In the 2000m, there were just six contenders. Leith Babian took the win in a conservative 7.37.73, with Declan Bennett finishing second in 8.26.79 and Jack Saviane third in 10.14.20. Next home was Chelsea Corbridge (10.33.53), followed by Erich Moeller-Duhme (11.26.55), and rounding out the field was the inspiring Under 9 athlete Hamish Bennett in 12.22.17.