By Tara Murray
Melton City Little Athletics Centre threw itself into a top-10 finish at the Little Athletics state track and field championships.
Melton athletes won seven gold, three silver and two bronze at the recent championships, to finish 10th in the state.
In its region, Melton finished second behind the powerhouse of Geelong.
Melton coach Damien Wapshott said they were thrilled with the results.
Overall, Melton had competitors in 52 events.
“For a small club it’s a big improvement and we’re pumped with how we went,” Wapshott said.
“We knew we had a few talented kids, but you don’t know what will happen on the day.
“We have 160 athletes compared to Geelong which has 800. We are a smaller club up against it.”
Melton’s best results came in the throwing events, where it won all 12 of its medals.
Melton City throwing coach Shane Benbow said he had seen a steady progression in the three years he’s been at the club.
The club won six medals in his first year.
“We expected to go alright [at the recent championships], but that is beyond expectations,” he said.
“If you compare the ratio of medals to the number of athletes, it makes us the number one centre in our region.”
Manafo Corine Ropeti claimed two gold medals and one bronze in the under-11 throwing events.
Benbow said she also claimed a state record in the discus with a throw which is the second furthest thrown in Australia for that age.
“She’s only relatively new to the club, she started just before Christmas,” he said.
Alyssa Benbow had a clean sweep of the under-12 girls throwing events, winning three gold medals.
Maloamata Nofoasaefa Ropeti won two gold medals in the under-9 shot put and discus.
Leigh Benbow won silver in the under-9 shot put and discus, giving Melton two one-two finishes in those events. Shane Benbow said it was rare for a centre to achieve one-two finishes.
Liam Benbow won a silver in the under-13 discus, while Ben Locke won bronze in the under-14 shot put.
Wapshott said they were also encouraged with the results in track and other field events.
He said several athletes had top-10 finishes.
Wapshott said they hoped the results would encourage more people to get involved at Melton City Little Athletics.
“Once word gets out, hopefully good things will happen and others will come especially with the Olympics next year.
