Mid West athletes star at the Country Athletics Championships in Bunbury

Mid West Academy of Sport track and field athletes starred at the annual Country Athletics Championships in Bunbury earlier this month, with every Mid West athlete placing.

Under-13 superstar Amelia Heinrich demolished the field in the 80-metre hurdles, taking out the gold medal while setting a new State country record with a time of 12.97sec.

Heinrich didn’t stop there, going on to win the 200m hurdles (33.09), rounding the competition off collecting sliver in the 200m (29.34), triple jump (9.99m), 100m (13.84) and bronze in the 400m (66.25).

Reuben Chapman, 15, was athlete of the meet, held between January 10-12, with a bag of incredible performances consisting of a gold and a new State country record in the 110m hurdles in 15.68.

Chapman went on to claim gold in the 300m hurdles (44.25), 200m (25.09), 400m (53.86) and a bronze in the 800m (2.10.04).

The youngest athlete in the MWAS squad, 12-year-old Zaylee Scheicher, also showed her competitors a clean pair of heels, winning both the 800m (2min.42sec) and 1500m (5.43) by big margins.

Bede Halford, also just 12, won his 800m (2.30) and 1500m (4.59) in fine style, winning both events by big margins.

The Hadley siblings performed well in their respective events with Macey winning long jump with 4.52 metres as well as finishing second in the 100m (13.38) and shot put (11.07m).

Her brother Lochie collected silver in javelin (30.60m) and high jump (1.50m).

Under-15 competitor Noah Brown got silver in the 2000m steeple chase (7.26) and finished fourth in the 400m (58.2), 800m (2.19) and 1500 (4.56).

Two of the MWAS senior athletes, 17-year-olds Wynand Neethling and Riley Heinrich, both competed with distinction.

Neethling had a good lead-up to the State decathlon next month, with exceptionally good wins in the 100m (11.19), 200m (23.74) and second in the javelin (46.30m), discus (35.14) and shot put (9.91). Heinrich won the 400m (54.31) and 800m (2.10).

MWAS track and field coach Gary Clark said it was a great showing from the Mid West athletes on the State stage, with bigger plans ahead in the season.

“This was a great lead-up to the State and national titles in March and April this year with all athletes well ahead of schedule,” he said.

“I anticipate most of the squad members based on these performances to make the State team and contest the national championships to be held in Perth in April.

“It is also a good indication that our strength, conditioning, overall development and training programs are working.”