Shepparton athletes star at regional titles

From that contingent the centre took home an impressive 42 gold medals, 44 silver and 39 bronze.

Shepparton president Aileen Zanelli said the carnival was a great success and the centre wanted to make the most out of its turn at hosting the event.

“The kids, they had a ball,” she said.

“Everyone enjoyed it.

“I kept saying to people that it is an opportunity to have a go at region (events) when it is at your home centre, so I think that is why we got a lot more entries.

“We had 94 athletes take part; being a home competition, a lot of people entered that might not normally when you have to travel.

“(We are) over the moon with the amount of medals.”

Next up for Shepparton’s young athletes are the State Track and Field Championships, which will be held this weekend from March 9 to 10.

Shepparton had 45 athletes qualify for the state titles thanks to their efforts at the regional event.

While the state titles’ location is now set in stone at Knox Park Athletics Centre, Zanelli said there was some confusion and concern over where the event would be held.

“Normally the championships are at Albert Park, but it always depends on the (Formula 1) grand prix and when that is on because you can’t get in there to the track,” she said.

“It was scheduled to be at Casey Fields, but that track has been getting refurbished and it’s not going to be ready in time, so now it is going to be at Knox Park Athletics Centre.”

While there is one more day of competition for Shepparton on March 16, for most of the centre’s future track and field stars the state titles will be the end of their season.

Zanelli said if the Shepparton athletes performed well at Knox Park this weekend, there was the possibility of higher honours.

“Some kids, through their performances, may qualify for the Junior Development Squad for the next season when it gets under way,” she said.

“That’s the culmination of the season (state titles) and then cross-country begins of course.”