Records tumble and gold strikes as Geraldton returns from successful athletics country championship campaign

Geraldton’s athletes struck gold in last weekend’s Athletics Country Championships, with personal records shattered and another impressive haul of medals brought back to the Mid West. At the three-day event held in Albany, Geraldton claimed 48 medals in total with 24 gold, 16 silver and eight bronze medals spread across 18 participants. Athletes were permitted to enter six events across the weekend and Geraldton had three athletes take out medals in all six of their respective events. Ariana Hala-Poi was on fire and won gold in all six events, demonstrating her prowess in different areas of track and field, including 70m, 100m, 200m, high jump, long jump and shot put. And if that wasn’t enough, she also ran a regional record-breaking time of 10.71sec. in the under-11 70m sprint heats. In his final Country Championships appearance, Reuben Chapman, a returning regional record holder, also medalled in all six of his events. The under-18s competitor won gold in the 100m, 200m and 400m sprints, and the 110m and 300m hurdles events, plus silver in long jump. Another country record holder, Amelia Heinrich also took home six medals, with two golds in 80m and 200m hurdles and silver in triple jump, 100m, 200m and 400m sprints. Also in his country championships, Lucas Renwick wrapped up his time in junior athletics with one gold in javelin and three silvers in triple jump, shot put and discus. One of Geraldton’s youngest competitors, Dustin Reynolds was one medal short of securing the six-medal feat, but still finished among Geraldton’s top medallists with four golds and a silver in the under-10s track events. Under-12s’ Blake Renwick was solid across track and field, winning gold in the 80m hurdles, javelin and discus, with a bronze medal in high jump rounding out his medal tally. Long distance runner Bede Halford also claimed two golds in his two signature events, 800m and 1500m, while Isla Renwick struck gold in high jump. Plenty of other athletes delivered medal-winning performances throughout the weekend, and almost every entrant set new personal or seasonal bests. Geraldton’s athletes will now turn their attention to the Geraldton Athletics Centre championships, and for some, the State championships.