GEELONG ATHLETES STAR ON NATIONAL STAGE

MULTIPLE Geelong athletes have returned from the Australian Track and Field Championships with medals, in a positive sign the region’s penchant for providing future Olympians is as strong as ever.

The standout performers in the week-long event in

Sydney were gold medallists Damien Birkenhead (shot put), Mackenzie Mielczarek (under-20 javelin), Jamison Towers (under-14 long jump), Noah Burns (under-16 pole vault), Caleb Kilpatrick (under-15 400m), Tiana Boras (under-17 triple jump), Marty Jackson (ambulant shot put) and Richard Colman (200m and 800m wheelchair), while

Jacob Sesar and Lilly Bayes won gold in relay events representing Victoria.

Local athletics coach Anula Costa said the medal haul was a fitting reward for effort.

“Geelong has done a lot of work as a region with athletics and we are so proud of these athletes,” Costa said.

“There are also three athletes who have qualified for the world junior championships, in Mackenzie Mielczarek, Tiana Boras and also Oliva Gross in the (under-20) pole vault.

“Those three are in a good position to make finals in those events and they are putting in outstanding performances not only to be competitive at those championships.”

Other medallists in Sydney included Guy Williams, Campbell

Braden, Cassidy Bradshaw, Jake Penny, Harvey Murrant, Karla Boras,

Guy Williams, Zander Zurawel, Owen Costin, Tess Kirsop-Cole, Patrick Poulter, Bruno Parfitt, Hannah Brady and Victoria Pappe-Silva.

Australia Track and Field Championship medal winners, from left, Owen Costin, Guy Williams, Jacob Sesar, Cassidy Bradshaw, Zander Zurawel, Hannah Brady, Karla Boras, Tiana Boras, Campbell Braden, Mackenzie Mielczarek and Bruno Parfitt. Picture: ALISON WYND

Jamison Towers with one of her four medals from the championships.